•^oo^ 



I B 






,a'^> 




.<>>' ^r 



>J & 







V %# -:^5^M^^%^ 



.^^ ^f>. 



^■^j. 









.-^^ 



V^- 




^y?^ 






w^ 















/\ 









ci-. 



,0 c 



r-> ,■/ 









0" 



'c^. 



cJ^. 



./ c^^^.;'^o '*_^X'°'^Vco--."% 



















S- 


^" 




r^ 





















^^'^ ^-'I^^. \^^ Digitized by the Internet Archive- -^^^ .- ',"!/' ^.''^^ 
" ; . ^in 2010 with funding from 
The Library of Congress 








» 






'■ ?£ 


^ 



" H 


' 1 \ "' 


;>^: 


':p 


,^^' 


«t- 


^ 


\ 


■^ 


, ' 




^\ 



^ 1ittp://w^A/w.anehLVe.org/aetails/sevenKi'ngSofseve^ 




TARQUINIUS PRISCUS AND THE AUSPICIOUS OMEN. 



THE 




EVEN KINGS 



OF THE 



SEVEN HILLS. 



By MRS. C. H. B. LAING. 




(30^':. 



PHILADELPHIA: 

PORTER & COATES, 
822 Chestnut Street. 



^72. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by 

PORTER AND COATES, 
in the OfiSce of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 

HEARS & DUSENBERY, STERE0TTPEE3. H. B. ASHMEAD, PKINTEB. 



-^ 



'b 



S^ 



V 



Os'. v"^ 



PREFACE. 



nPHE author of the following pages wishes 
to say a few words to the parents or 
guardians of the young, for whose pleasure and 
instruction the lives of " The Seven Kings of 
the Seven Hills" of Eome have been com- 
piled — compiled even in that old city wherein 
the events which this little volume perpetuates 
were enacted. She would assure them that in 
placing this book in the hands of their child- 
ren, she has carefully studied to make it a 
work w^hich may increase their desire for a 

(Vn) 



iv PREFACE. 

more intimate knowledge of Ancient Eome- — 
of Rome, which in the 19th century has again 
become the '^Head of Italy." In doing this, 
she has been guided by the best writers upon 
Ancient History — Pliny, Plutarch, Dionysius, 
Livy, Niebuhr, as also by more modern authors. 
From this wide field, these facts have been 
gathered. No fiction has been called in to 
assist their interest. However startling may 
be the events recorded, her young friends may 
rest assured their record is borne out by history. 
All readers of Ancient History can bear 
testimony to the wide discrepancy in its 
chronology. They all differ more or less. To 
assert, therefore, the perfect accuracy of the 
following pages in their chronological dates, 
would be a questionable matter indeed. The 
author has carefully compared and revised the 
dates, which both ancient and modern writers 
have afl&xed to the founding of Rome, and to 



PREFACE. V 

the reigns of her seven kings. She has aimed 
at correctness ; and she only claims the same 
indulgence, granted to those who have labored 
in the field before her. 



Rome, 1871. 




CONTENTS. 



Romulus y the First King of Rome . 

Numa Pompilius, the Second King of Rome . 

Tullus HostiliuSy the Third King oj Rome . 

Ancus Marcius, the Fourth King of Rome 

Tarquinius Priscus, the Fifth King of Rome 

Servius Tullius, the Sixth King of Rome 

Tarquinius Superbus, the Seventh King of Rome 

(vii) 



PAQE 

9 
79 

93 
129 

153 
185 
211 



ROMULUS, 

THE FIRST KINO OF SOME. 



CHAPTER I. 

IVTY DEAR young friends, I have a plan in 
view. It is this. I wish to take you 
with me far, far back into the ages of the Past. 
We can do it easily. We need no scrip nor 
store — not even a change of garment. Indeed, 
we will make our journey with the same rapi- 
dity as did those venturesome travellers of 
whom we have all read in that wonderful story 
book of the Arabian Nights, who, when wish- 
ing to do battle with this or that wicked 
enchanter thousands of miles away, or to 
release from " durance vile" some captive prin- 
cess, merely seated themselves upon a bit of 
tapestry, and by whispering one magical word, 
even without lifting a finger — lo — they were 
at the place where they wished to be ! 

(11) 



12 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

But imagination can flj as swiftly as any 
enchanted carpet in the realms of Arabian 
Fairy Land, and if you will trust yourselves 
with me, will convey us in the twinkling of an 
eye to a point in the world's history, seven 
hundred and fifty-three years before the birth 
of our Saviour, when in moral darkness it 
waited for that great Light which was to come ! 
waited for the coming of that Star which 
centuries later pointed the way to the manger 
wherein lay cradled the holy child Jesus — 
Prince of Peace ! The Light of the Earth ! 

The earth with its thousands of miles in cir- 
cumference ; yet we will only travel to a very 
small speck upon its surface, which, small as 
it is however, has filled a larger space in her 
history than all the other nations of the globe ! 

Are you ready? 

Then gather yourselves about me — now ! 

Ah — here we are ! Two thousand six hun- 
dred and twenty-four years from our starting- 
point, which you will see includes the eighteen 
hundred and seventy-one years which have 



ROMULUS, THE FIRST KING OF ROME. 13 

rolled away since the shepherds saw that great 
Light upon the plains of Bethlehem. 

We might, it is true, pursue the "back 
track" a few centuries earlier, only I fear we 
might perchance be swallowed up in one of 
those terrible earthquakes which in those days 
cut such wide gaps in the local history of this 
region. Italy itself being but the boot of some 
volcanic agent, thrust through the glowing sur- 
face of the earth to cool. But when it did 
cool, why it became a very pleasant spot to 
dwell upon, and has continued so even to the 
nineteenth century. 

Let us then walk up this boot and rest 
upon the site of its most wonderful city — 
Kome — even he/ore Rome was ! 

We will not interest ourselves in the earlier 
settlement of this tempting region further than 
may be useful to us in studying out the 
founding of Rome. Perhaps when you are 
older, the impetus now given may lead you to 
trace more fully the history of those peoples 



14 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

who from time to time planted themselves on 
heel, top, and toe of this volcanic boot. 

It will be sufficient for me to tell you, that 
when Troy, one of the ancient cities of Asia 
Minor, was taken by the confederated Greeks 
after a siege of seven years ; a brave and good 
man named ^neas, himself of the race of the 
old Trojan king Priam, fled from the burning 
city, bearing upon his shoulders not bags of 
gold and silver, but the priceless burthen of an 
aged father. A few faithful friends accom- 
panied him, and with them they took the 
images of their household gods. Mount Ida 
became their refuge. There they abode the 
winter, and then set forth to found themselves 
a colony in some other region. 

By-and-by they sailed across the sea, and 
finally landed upon the shores of Italy, at a 
point about sixteen miles from where Eome 
now stands. This region was called Latium, 
and at the time when ^neas landed, was 
ruled by king Latinus, then a very old man. 
And after a while the king was pleased with 



ROMULUS, THE FIRST KING OF ROME. 15 

these Trojan strangers, and gave his daughtei* 
Lavinia to be the wife of j^neas. 

Then the old king died, and four years later 
jEneas died also. Thirty years after this, 
history tells us, that Ascanius, the son of ^neas 
and Lavinia, founded Alba Longa. 

It was a charming spot which the grandson 
of old king Latinus selected for his new city. 
The hills came sweeping down from the Alban 
Mountains to the edge of a lovely lake, set 
deep down amid banks wreathed with vines 
and pretty blossoms. The blue sky bent over 
its clear surface, and only the song of the birds 
was heard to break the peaceful solitude. 

"We will go no further," said Ascanius. 
^' Let us build here a city close to the water's 
edge." 

And all his followers agreed it was good to 
do so. And as the hills which came down were 
very steep, they built it right along the lip or 
edge of the lake, and as it extended for more 
than a mile in one long street, they called their 
new city Alba Longa. 



16 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

The lake of Albano, which is the same I 
am telling you about, is more than two miles 
in length, and one mile and three-quarters in 
breadth. 

Well — years rolled on. The first founders 
of Alba Longa were laid in their tombs. Ge- 
nerations passed away, until finally it came to 
pass that the crown rested upon the head of a 
wicked king named Amulius. But he had no 
right to wear it. It belonged to his elder 
brother Numitor. 

Now Numitor, the good, had two children, a 
son and a daughter, and the wicked Amulius 
caused the son to be put to death, and forced 
the daughter, who was named Sylvia, to enter 
one of the temples devoted to the religion of 
the gods. Then he thought all was secure. 
There was no one who dared dispute his right 
to the kingdom of Alba Longa. 

But behold ! it was told hinl one day that 
Sylvia had not only escaped his power, but had 
actually become the mother of two little twin 
boys! He was in a great rage, as you may 



ROMULUS, THE FIRST KINO OF ROME. 17 

well suppose, at this news. Nor did he rest 
day nor night until he had accomplished his 
revenge. Her he put to death, and then 
caused the poor little infants to be thrown into 
the river Anio ! For this cruel uncle was 
afraid the helpless babes might one day claim 
the crown as heirs to their grandfather 
Numitor. 

Now all this which I have been telling you, 
is but to prepare you for the story of Romulus 
and Remus, to whom the grand old city of 
Rome owes its origin. For these two w^ere the 
same little twins cast into the river with the 
cruel intent of destroying their innocent lives. 

But God watched over the helpless little 
ones, and in his infinite wisdom marked out a 
grand and noble career for at least one of 
those deserted babes, whose name will live so 
long as Rome shall live ! 




CHAPTER 11. 

^T^HE slave to whom was intrusted the fate 
of the little boys, placed them in a rude sort 
of cradle or basket, made of the intertwisted 
stalks of palm branches, and then launched it 
upon the waters of the Anio. The frail bark 
floated off with its pretty freight, and God's 
angels took care it should not sink, but bore 
it in safety to the waters of the Tiber. 

"The troubled river knew them, 

And smoothed his yellow foam, 
And gently rocked the cradle 

That bore the fate of Kome. 
The ravening she-wolf know them, • 

And licked them o'er and o'er, 
And gave them of her own fierce milk 

Ptich with raw flesh and gore." 

The river, at that time swollen by heavy rains, 

(18) 



ROMULUS, THE FIRST KING OF ROME. 19 

received the precious charge, somewhat boister- 
ously it is true, and the little cradle rocked up 
and down with the rocking waves. The little 
fellows within were doubtless very hungry, 
but they watched the clouds, and the birds 
which flew low, and the soft blue sky, and I 
dare say, took their little thumbs in their 
mouths and sucked them right heartily. 

But by and by, as the old Tiber, far out of 
its limits, swept around the base of a hill 
called the Palatine, a great wave lifted the 
little cradle and tossing it high, overturned it 
right under the shelter of a fine fig-tree. 

All very nice — only the twins could not get 
at the figs, and would not have known how to 
manage them if they had. Something better 
however w^as in ^tore for them. 

And yet I think no mother would have 
been well pleased to have seen the great beast 
approaching her children, which by and by 
drew near those little ones. 

Yes — a savage she-w^olf came lazily down to 
the river side to slake her thirst. Her keen 



20 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

scent soon detected the poor little ones lying 
so helpless under the fig-tree. She walked 
round and round them, smelt of them with 
her long pointed nose, licked them, and then 
God moved the heart of this wild beast to a 
pity unknown to their-cruel uncle Amulius, for 
as she stooped over them, the little fellows 
caught at her long teats, and began to smack 
their little lips with such a relish that the old 
wolf was amazingly pleased, and as she turned 
her head around she licked them softly again, 
saying to herself : 

'' Well, I have milk enough for these queer 
animals and for my own beautiful cubs too." 

And so for many days the wolf would trot 
down to the river where the little boys lay 
curled up in the grass, either sleeping or striv- 
ing with their tiny hands to catch at the 
wings of a gay wood-pecker, which flying close 
down to their little faces would drop a bit of 
ripe fig or a wild grape in their open mouths, 
for we are told that even the birds took part in 
the nourishment of these pretty twins. Then 



R03IULTJS, THE FIRST KING OF ROME. 21 

the old wolf would turn them over and over, 
and tickle them with her great paws until they 
cooed and laughed merrily, when she would 
lie down by their side and lick them with her 
great rough tongue, as the happy little fellows 
drew in her milk. 

Now it 'chanced one day that an old shep- 
herd who lived upon the Palatine Hill, came 
strolling along down to the river, and hearing 
the pretty cooing of the children and the soft 
motherly gruntings of the old wolf, peeped 
through the bushes to see what it could mean. 
If ever any man was surprised — that old shep- 
herd was, when he saw two naked little babies 
clinging to the teats of a savage wolf, and their 
chubby hands patting her hairy legs ! A wolf 
that he would be glad to shoot! Perhaps the 
very beast that had been prowling around his 
hut and had carried off his lambs ! 

He ran to call his neighbors to see the strange 
sight, who came carefully, on tip-toe — lest they 
would arouse the wolf so intent upon the little 
ones whom she began to love as her own cubs, 



22 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

and at that very time might have been plan- 
ning how she could carry them to her den, 
which was safely hidden near by in one of the 
deep lava cliffs. 

Fortunately she did not see or hear the shep- 
herdsj and soon jogged off to her own little 
cubs. 

Then the shepherd, whose name was Faus- 
tulus, hurried forward, and catching the little 
twins up in his arms ran home with them as 
fast as he could, for fear the w^olf might turn 
back and chase him ; which she most likely 
would have done had she seen the act. Poor 
old creature, how she moaned for the little 
ones when she came back to the fig-tree and 
found them gone ! 

The image of that kind creature is cherished 
in Kome even to this day. In the very Capi- 
tol of the city — in one of its noblest halls, there 
stands a bronze statue of the Palatine Wolf 
with the little ones by her side. 

We may take this lesson from it — namely — 



ROMULUSy THE FIRST KING OF ROME. 23 

that a rough, ungainly exterior, can cover a 
kind, affectionate nature. 

It was a very kind deed in the shepherd to 
charge himself and wife with the care of these 
two strange children found under the fig- 
tree, for they had already twelve goodly sons 
of their own! You have heard it said that 
'' where there's a will, there's a way" — and so 
the way was found, and the twin boys grew up 
to be shepherds with their foster-brothers. 
And they were fine strong lads too. 

I have forgotten to tell you that the old 
shepherd Faustulus named them Romulus and 
Remus, because, as he said, they had been 
suckled by a wolf 

In childhood, we are told, they were remark- 
able for their beauty and intelligence; and as 
they grew up to manhood they were brave and 
fearless of danger. Whether called forth to 
fight against those bands of robbers which some- 
times infested the Palatine Hill, carrying off the 
flocks of the shepherds; or roaming the for- 
ests in search of wild beasts, no other lads were 



24 THE SEVEN KTNOS OF THE SEVEN HILLS, 

SO brave as Eomulus and Kemus. It seemed 
as if they had drawn in courage and strength 
with the milk of the old wolf! 

But the time was coming when their high 
origin was to be made known, and their wrongs 
avenged. 

Now the shepherds who lived on the Pala- 
tine Hill, frequently pastured their flocks and 
cattle upon another hill called the Aventine, 
where the herdsmen from Alba Longa also 
pastured the cattle of their king. It chanced 
one day as both parties met upon the grassy 
slopes of the Aventine, that some dispute arose 
about the rights of pasturage, resulting at 
length in a fierce encounter wherein the herds- 
men of the king so far gained the mastery as 
to seize Eemus and bear him off to Alba 
Longa. 

Eemus borne ofl* a prisoner seemed a most 
unfortunate event. It proved otherwise, as we 
shall see. 

By that Divine Power w^hich watches over 
the innocent, and suffers no ill deed to go un- 



ROMULUS, THE FIRST K lis G OF ROME. 25 

punished, the ^Darentage of these brave youths 
now became known, and in this manner. 

The captors of Kemus conducted their pris- 
oner into the presence of the King of Alba 
Longa — the unjust Amulius. Struck with his 
noble bearing, the king demanded of the young 
man whence he came, and of his parentage. 
Kemus could only tell him that he with a twin 
brother had been found by a shepherd of the 
Palatine Hill near the banks of the river Tiber, 
who had brought them up to manhood as his 
own sons. Guilt and terror shook the con- 
science of the king at this simple narrative, 
for like a flash of light the truth was revealed 
— in this young shepherd he recognised the 
grandson of his brother Numitor. His wicked 
designs had been overruled by a higher Power. 

In the mean time, Romulus, raising a com- 
pany of brave young shepherds, and accom- 
panied by old Faustulus, his foster-father, set 
out in all haste for Alba Longa to rescue his 
brother Remus, arriving just at the time when, 
overpowered by his own guilt, Amulius was 



26 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

powerless to resist the claims of conscience. 
The inhabitants of Alba Longa uniting in the 
cause of right, rose in arms against the wicked 
king, and placed Numitor, the grandfather of 
Komulus and Remus, who was now a very 
aged man, upon his rightful throne. 

The twin brothers remained for a while with 
the good old Numitor. Then, their hearts 
yearning with strong affection for the old place 
where they had been brought up, they finally 
bade farewell to their grandfather and to Alba 
Longa, and came to dwell once more upon the 
Palatine Hill. The grandsons of a king, they 
now possessed both wealth and power — and so 
they said they would build a city upon the 
banks of the great river Tiber. 

Now although they both wished to do so, 
they could not agree upon the spot where this 
city should be placed. Romulus, loving the, 
old Palatine, wished to build it there. Remus 
on the contrary chose the Aventine. 

Finding they could not agree, they at length 



ROMULUS, THE FIRST KING OF ROME. 27 

determined to leave the matter to chance. 
Said Romulus : 

"Now, brother, let us take our stations — you 
on the Aventine Hill, and I on the Palatine. 
We will count the vultures that shall fly over 
us between this time and sunrise, and the one 
who can count the greatest number shall gain 
his wish." 

"Agreed," said Remus. 

Accordingly the brothers took their stand — 
each on his favorite hill under the calm, beau- 
tiful sky — the stars watching with them, and 
the pleasant lapse of the Tiber upon its shores, 
the only sound to disturb that solemn night- 
watch. Undoubtedly the hours seemed very 
long to both. The birds, too, flew but slowly, 
and it was only between the dawn and the sun- 
rise, that six vultures swept over the Aventine. 
The anxious watcher upon the neighboring 
mount was not more successful, until just at 
the moment when the result of his brother's 
vigil was made known to him, tioelve vultures 
flew slowly over the brow of the Palatine ! 



28 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

Remus claimed the victory. He had counted 
his six birds in advance of his brother's good 
fortune. However, the decision was left to the 
shepherds, who all pronounced in favor of 
Romulus. 

It is no easy matter to give up a favorite 
project — especially if we think ourselves in the 
right. Therefore Remus, as you may suppose, 
was not well pleased at being forced to yield 
his wishes to those of his brother. But there 
was no help for it. 

So Romulus now began to lay out the bound- 
aries of his city, by drawing a line around the 
desired limits of the Palatine. He then yoked 
a beautiful white cow and an ox to a plough, 
and ploughed a furrow through this line — the 
cow upon the inside, by which Romulus in- 
tended to show that the women should stav at 
home within the city, while the men were to 
go bravely forth, and become a terror to their 
foes. 

This done, he commenced building his wall. 
Luckily Romulus did not have to go far to fiud 



ROMULUS, THE FIRST KING OF ROME. 29 

the materials. The Palatine Hill itself afforded 
all that was needed. Men set to work at once 
cleaving the volcanic rocks — hewing and shap- 
ing those grand blocks of stone from a deposit 
called Tafa, or Peperino, which the workmen 
then laid inside of the furrow, marking the 
boundary of the new city. The outer ridge 
was to be held sacred to the heathen gods 
whom men then worshipped. This was called 
the Pomoerium. You will, perhaps, be glad to 
know that some portions of this wall are still 
remaining, and if you should ever visit Eome, 
you will see them in those huge fragments of 
crumbling stones which rest upon the western 
side of the Palatine HilL 

Kemus in the mean while could not get over 
his disappointment, and watched all these move- 
ments with envy and jealousy, and finally one 
day, with a scornful laugh, he leaped over the 
wall, exclaiming: 

" Look — ^just so will the enemy leap over 
this frail barrier ! " 

At which insult, one of the companions of 
3* 



80 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

Komulus, in the heat of his anger, turned sud- 
denly upon Remus, saying : 

" And in this manner will we meet the 
enemy ! " And as he said this, he killed him 
upon the spot ! 

It has been said that when Romulus saw 
Remus spring over the wall in derision, the 
savage blood of the She- Wolf mounted into his 
brain, bringing forth another terrible tragedy 
as when Cain slew his hrotlier Abel ! But we 
will not for a moment believe this. No ! Ro- 
mulus deeply mourned for Remus, and when 
the time came that he sat upon the throne of 
Rome, he caused another throne to be placed 
at his side in memory of his ill-fated brother, 
and to demonstrate to the people that if Remus 
had lived he would have shared with him in 
the government of the city. 





CHAPTER III. 

npHERE is a proverb — " Rome was not built 
in a day." It was not. But in a very short 
time that portion of the Palatine included 
within the walls, was covered with fine streets 
and with handsome, substantial dwellings, in 
place of pasture lands'* and shepherds' huts. 
Then Romulus called his city Rome. 

You must not forget that we have gone back 
in time seven hundred and fifty- three years 
before the coming of Christ on earth, that we 
might mark the founding of this city which was 
to become the ''Queen of the World!" the 
''Mother of Nations!" 

Let us look on and see what follows. 

His city built, Romulus, as was right, took 
its government into his own hands. His first 

(31) 



32 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

care was to frame such good and just laws rCs 
should make the people happy. He arrayed 
iiimself quite like a king in royal robes edged 
with purple, and chose twelve men who were 
called Lie tors, to attend him wheresoever he 
wento A lictor was an officer who bore a 
bundle of rods, with an axe placed in their 
centre. And this was intended to let people 
know that the person before whom they were 
borne, had the power to scourge and to slay. 

Now Romulus was very ambitious; and after 
all did not feel quite satisfied with the limits he 
had given to his city ; so he extended it still 
further- taking in the Capitoline Hill, then 
called " Moiis Saturnius." But the original 
limits were always known as " Roma Quad- 
rata"— which means " Square Rome." Having 
accomplished this, Romulus then proclaimed 
his city to be a place of refuge not only for 
debtors and slaves, but also for criminals. 
This seems a strange thing for Romulus to have 
done — to make a home for such a population 
in the new and beautiful city he had taken such 



ROMULUS, THE FIRST KING OF ROME. 33 

care to build ! However, Romulus understood 
his own plans best, so we will not trouble our- 
selves with them. 

With such tempting offers, what wonder that 
Rome soon became thickly peopled? Then 
another trouble arose — it was this. We may 
be sure that class of persons who gladly flocked 
into the city at the invitation of its founder, 
had not burthened themselves with wives and 
children — not they. And so it came to pass 
that after a while Romulus sent offers of mar- 
riage from his young men to the young maidens 
of the neighboring towns; especially to the 
Sabines, a people dwelling near Rome. 

Perhaps those people were growing jealous of 
the fast increasing power of the new city — 
perhaps they did not wish to unite their daugh- 
ters with these Romans — certain it is, they one 
and all refused the marriage offers of the Roman 
youths. Romulus was wroth at what he con- 
sidered so great a slight. 

" Come," said he, " if we cannot obtain wives 
by free consent, why we will gain them by 



34 THE SEVEN KINGS OF TEE SEVEN HILLS. 

force ! The great festival which we are to 
hold in honor of the god Neptune is close at 
hand. Let the games be made ready, and let 
everything be done in the most attractive man- 
ner. When all is prepared we will invite our 
neighbors with their wives and daughters to 
attend. Then, my good citizens, when the sports 
are at the highest, a signal shall be given, at 
which, let every brave lad seize upon the 
maiden he likes and bear her off to become his 
wife!" 

This proposal was received with a loud shout 
of approbation. Accordingly great preparations 
were made for the festival of Neptune, the 
rumor of which spread far. Eomulus then 
sent friendly invitations to the people of the 
neighboring towns, and especially to the Sa- 
bines. Unsuspicious of danger, the chief inhab- 
itants of those towns assembled within the 
walls of Rome to witness the games. 

The sun arose bright and cloudless on that 
eventful day, and at an early hour the city 
presented a most animated scene. As the 



ROMULUS, THE FIRST KING OF ROME. 35 

strangers arrived they were received with the 
greatest pohteness by the chief officers of King 
Romulus, who himself, attired in splendid robes 
and with the crown upon his head, went around 
among them to see that all were accommodated ; 
and gave the most favorable places for viewing 
the games to the wives and daughters of his 
Sabine guests. 

The young maidens looked as lovely as the 
day itself in their pretty holiday dresses, and, 
little thinking of the fate in store for them, 
entered with innocent mirth and pleasure into 
the festivities of the scene. The parents, too, 
were no less pleased and flattered by the atten- 
tions of the king, and looked with great sur- 
prise upon the splendors already gathered 
together in this new Palatine city. 

At length the sports began. When the 
games were in the full tide of progress, and 
every eye bent with intense interest upon the 
contestants in the race as they neared the goal, 
Romulus suddenly stood up on his lofty throne, 
and, under pretence of watching more closely 



36 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

the results, gave the concerted signal — which 
was to fold his robe more closely around his 
person. 

With the bound of young race-horses the 
Roman youths rushed forward to the seats 
where sat the Sabine women, and each one 
seizing a fair young girl, bore her off in his 
arms ere the parents were scarcely aware of 
the treacherous deed ! 

All was now terror and confusion. Cries of 
vengeance arose from the indignant fathers, 
who having come unarmed to the festival, were 
unable to resist this violence. '^ Oh my child ! 
my child! give me back my child!" screamed 
the almost frantic mothers — screams which 
were answered by the shrieks and cries of 
their terrified daughters. 

But in vain. In spite of tears and prayers 
they were borne off, and with a tenderness and 
care little expected from their bold captors, 
were placed in a secure retreat, while their 
future husbands returned to the scene of dis- 
order and wild lamentation. 



ROMULUS, THE FIRST KING OF ROME. 37 

KomuluSj assuming all the dignity of that 
kingly race to which he belonged — all the 
majestic bearing of his grandfather the old King 
Numitor of Alba Longa, went around among 
his unhappy guests, and endeavored by gentle 
words to calm the storm he himself had raised. 

" My friends," said he, "I mean you no harm. 
This I have done, has been done for your own 
advantage, as well as for that of Eome. Hear 
me then without prejudice — hear me with 
coolness — moderate your anger and listen. My 
young men desire wives. Where, I ask, would 
they find such wives as you can give them, my 
friends ? Where could they seek a better alli- 
ance than with you ? They L ave once offered 
this alliance, and have been refused ! Your 
daughters are as fair as were their mothers — 
and seeing this, the young men of Kome, no 
longer asking your consent, have borne away 
your children from you, and will make them 
their wives. Then blame them not for what 
you yourselves have been the cause. '^ Come," 
added Romulus, looking around with a pleasant 



38 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

smile, and extending both hands — ^^ come, let 
there be peace between us, and let this make us 
not only better friends, but kinsmen. Receive 
the captors of your daughters as your sons. 
Be assured, although their wooing has been 
rough, they will make the kinder husbands 1" 

Romulus spoke well, and meant well. 

As easy would it have been for him to check 
the flow of the rushing Tiber as to calm the 
fury of passions raging within the breasts of 
his Sabine guests. They remained silent to 
this appeal, or if they spoke, it was only to 
utter threats of vengeance against their 
treacherous entertainer. 

And thus this pleasant gathering of the 
morning under heaven's own peaceful sky, broke 
in storm-clouds fraught with coming trouble to 
Romulus and Rome. 

And the storm soon burst. The bereaved 
parents, clothing themselves in mourning gar- 
ments, went forth to the neighboring cities and 
towns, stirring up their inhabitants to avenge 
their grievances. Men are easily moved to war 



ROMULUS, TUB FIRST KING OF ROME. 39 

from a spirit of envy or jealousy, and Romulus, 
by his exceeding strength, and the almost daily 
increase of his dominions, had roused both 
these passions in the breasts of the people 
dwelling in Crustumerium, Caenina, and Fidena, 
three cities within a short distance of Rome. 

Glad of a cause, they resolved to march at 
once into the Roman territories. Puffed up 
with a vain conceit of their own prowess, the Ca^- 
nenses were the first to commence the war; 
and unaided, they dared the power of King 
Romulus. 

But Romulus heeded their attack no more 
than he would a descent of crows into his cane- 
fields! He soon put their whole army to 
flight — killed their king, whose name was 
Acron, and their chief generals — marched on to 
their city which he captured, and then returned 
victorious to Rome. 

Believing his victory gained by the influence 
of Jupiter, Romulus at once marked out the 
boundaries for a magnificent temple to be 
erected to that god, upon the Capitoline Hill, 



40 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

wherein not only the spoils he had gained, but 
also those that either himself or the kings who 
came after his death, might gain, were to be 
treasured. 

And this was the first temple consecrated 
to Jupiter in Eome. I will tell you more 
about this presently, but first we must follow 
Romulus. 

We have seen how easily he conquered the 
Caenenses. It was only the beginning of battles. 
For now united against him came the Crustu- 
minii, and the Autemnates. They had better 
have remained in their own dominions, and not 
waged war upon one to whose natural bravery 
was added the ferocity and courage of the wolf! 
They were beaten, their cities taken, and 
themselves subjugated to the Eoman power. 





CHAPTER IV. 



"OUT what has become of those poor Sabine 
maidens all this time ? 

As wives of those bold Roman youths, they 
have learned to love and respect their hus- 
bands ; who in return treat them with a ten- 
derness due to the cruel manner in which they 
had been torn from their parents. However 
they might sigh for their old homes, and the 
friends they had thus suddenly lost, their new 
homes and their new ties served to make them 
happy. 

The Sabine people themselves, although the 
most aggrieved, were the last to assert their 
wrongs. They were very cautious, and secretly 
bent on revenge — but wisely made no move 
until fully prepared for battle. This done — 

4* (41) 



42 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

under the command of their king Titus Tatius 
in person, they marched against him who had 
robbed their homes of their dearest treasures — 
their children ! 

At this time the Koman citadel on the 
Capitoline Hill was in charge of a Roman 
named Tarpeius. He was the father of a beau- 
tiful girl-9— Tarpeia. Now it happened that one 
day Tarpeia passing outside the walls of the 
city to bring water for some sacrificial offering, 
chanced to meet the Sabine king Tatius, who 
in disguise was probably prowling around to 
watch the movements of the foe. He entered 
into conversation with her, and pretending to 
be captivated with the beauty of the girl, he 
so flattered the vanity of the silly maiden, that 
finally by the promise of gold and rich orna- 
ments, Tarpeia wickedly consented to betray 
the citadel into his hands ! 

The hour appointed came. The false Tar- 
peia was at her post : '' Come," said she to the 
Sabine soldiers, ^^let every one as he passes 
in, throw me the golden circlet from his arm, 



ROMULUS, THE FIRST KING OF ROME. 43 

and the ring from his finger !" For the men 
wore broad bracelets of heavy gold, and rings 
of precious jewels. This they promised to do. 
But mark the punishment of one so false to 
her country ! 

The soldiers kept their promise, but, with 
their bracelets, they also threw their heavy 
shields, and the miserable Tarpeia was crushed 
to death beneath their weight ! 

And there they buried her. And that place 
is called the Tarpeian Rock even to this day ! 

Thus the Sabines gained possession of the 
Roman citadel. And the next day a furious 
battle was fought within the walls — ably 
conducted on both sides. The Sabines held 
their ground steadily against the assaults of the 
Romans, and for a time the victory seemed 
theirs. Having slain the Roman general Hos- 
tillius, a brave man, they pressed the Romans 
hard even to the Palatine Gate, crying out : 

" Ah-ha, son of a wolf! You shall see it is 
one thing to fight with men, and another to 
carry off helpless maidens !" 



44 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

Then Romulus with fire in his eye turned to 
his soldiers : 

" Ha ! do you hear those boasting Sabines ? 
Will you suffer your manhood to be thus in- 
sulted ? Renew the fight, I command you in 
the name of Jupiter, the father of gods and 
men!" 

So saying he advanced upon the foe, while, 
animated by his wt>rds and courage, the Ro- 
mans dashed forward, and made a terrible 
onslaught upon the Sabines. 

But at this moment both armies found them- 
selves suddenly held in check by a new and 
strange event. For between the contending 
parties rushed the daughters of the Sabines, 
their hair all in disorder, their eyes red with 
weeping. With a courage which only true 
affection could inspire, they threw themselves 
between the clashing swords of their fathers, 
brothers, and husbands : 

*' Cease this unnatural strife ! " they cried. 
" Cease, fathers and brothers, to imbrue your 
hands in the blood of our husbands ! Hus- 



ROMULUS, THE FIRST KING OF ROME. 45 

bands, throw down your swords, that you slay 
not the fathers of your wives — the grandsires 
of our innocent children ! What ! would you 
give them a jparricide for a father ? If such be 
your will — then slay your wives also. As we 
have been the innocent cause of this unholy 
combat, we will sooner die — yes, we call the 
gods to witness, we will sooner die, than, as 
widows, live with the fathers who have slain 
our husbands — or as wives, with the murderers 
of our fathers." 

What a scene that must have been, my dear 
young friends ! Pause a moment here, and try 
to imagine those two armies in the midst of 
their maddened strife, thus suddenly brought 
to bay — their uplifted swords checked in their 
descent, their eyes filling with tears, and look- 
ing with wonder upon this brave little band of 
women, who came fluttering in among them 
like doves, the messengers of peace. 

A deep silence followed this appeal. Then 
fathers embraced their children, and husbands 
their wives. Both kings, Romulus and Tatius^ 



46 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

commanded their soldiers to retire. A council 
was then held, composed of the chief men on 
both sides, and after due deliberation, a formal 
treaty was made, by which both the Eoman 
and Sabine territories became as one. Then 
Romulus invited the Sabine king to share with 
him the throne of Eome, and for five years 
these two good men held their regal possession 
jointly, and in perfect harmony. And certainly 
those who had brought about this happy state 
of things, were more than content with their 
lot — now reunited to their parents and kins- 
folk, and more and more respected and beloved 
by their husbands for their noble conduct. 

And upon the spot where the two armies 
sheathed their swords at the prayers of these 
brave women, Romulus built a temple under 
the name of " Jupiter Stator," the foundations 
of which may still be traced on the high ground 
close by the old gate of the Palatine city. 

And now while Rome is so happily taken 
care of under the united friendship and king- 
ship of Romulus and Tatius, I think we will 



THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 47 

leave it for a little while, and have a talk about 
the gods and goddesses of those days. You 
will remember, perhaps, that I promised to tell 
you more about Jupiter, to whom Komulus 
built the first temple in Kome, after his victory 
over the bold Caenenses. 

Have you studied ancient Mythology ? If 
so, I can tell you nothing new perhaps. If not, 
it is better that we should understand something 
of those heathen deities ere we proceed further 
on our Koman journey; for I assure you we shall 
meet them at every step we take, and we might 
feel very much embarrassed not to know their 
names, nor their particular virtues, so very 
powerful was their rule, until the only One 
True God revealed Himself in the person of 
His Beloved Son. 




CHAPTER V. 

'' For all tlie gods of tlie nations are idols : but tlie 
Lord made the Heavens. Say among tlie heathen that the 
Lord reigneth. He is to be feared above all gods." 

Psalm xcvi. 

"OROM the earliest ages of the world, man 
has felt the necessity of worshipping some- 
thing. All have owned a higher power, 
although ignorant of God. This instinct is 
implanted in the breasts even of the most 
savage nations ; and in some way or another 
they have manifested this instinct; in very 
many cases by deeds of cruelty — so little did 
they understand this feeling in their hearts to 
mean love — not vengeance. 

How terrible some of these superstitions were, 
you probably know. You have read of the 

(48) 



ROMULUS, THE FIRST KINO OF ROME. 49 

Juggernaut idol; crushing beneath the wheels 
of his chariot the wretched victims thrown in 
his path ; and jou have heard of Moloch, into 
whose red-hot arms of brass, mothers tossed 
their innocent babes, to appease the wrath of 
a horrible image — " who had eijes, hut saw 
not'' — and ''ears that heard notT 

Cultivated nations responded in a more re- 
fined degree to this divine call of the soul, and 
in time a race of gods and goddesses sprang 
into the minds of men as real beings, endowed 
with all powers, and to them they built tem- 
ples — gave them a form, and sacrificed before 
them. 

You now understand that Kome knew not 
the true God. They saw the glorious heavens 
above them — the sun, the moon, and the bright 
stars. They watched the return of seed-time 
and harvest. They delighted as we do in the 
song of birds ; in green meadows, in broad for- 
ests, and in the loveliness and perfume of 
flowers. They were awed by the grandeur of 
the boundless ocean — pleased with the rippling 



50 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

river, and laughing brook. But to ivliom, or 
to what^ were they to ascribe all this ? Who 
gave a voice to the clouds that in thunder-tones, 
and with fiery darts, rebuked their evil deeds ? 
Who let loose the fury of the winds in the 
whirlwind, or cooled their heated brows with 
soft, gentle breezes ? What power was it that 
hurled mountains from their base with volcanic 
throes, and choked their lakes with red-hot 
cinders, and piled up new mountains, and 
opened new lakes? Who sent the soft rain- 
drops, and watered the valleys with dew ? 

Their delusion gave not this power to one, 
but to many gods. 

Not equal— but sharing in the rule of the 
heavens and the earth. Shut in by clouds from 
the eyes of men, these gods were supposed to 
dwell in a region of boundless enchantment 
and loveliness. And to this fabled spot they 
gave the name of Olympus. 

The god to whom they ascribed the greatest 
power was 



B OMUL us, THE FIRST KING OF ROME. 51 

Jupiter. 

Him they styled the " father of gods and 
of men." Great honors were paid to him. In 
any enterprise about to be undertaken, the 
favor of Jupiter was first invoked, especially 
before going to battle. And when, returning 
victorious from the fray, the conquering gen- 
erals entered Rome, their first duty was to the 
god Jupiter. Borne in their chariots of ivory 
and gold, up to the Capitoline Mount, they 
here in his temple gave thanks to "Jupiter 
Optimus Maximus," which means the best and 
the greatest, who had crowned their arms with 
victory. They fully believed that this supreme 
god, who looked down from the curtained clouds 
on Mount Olympus, gave signs and tokens of 
his displeasure, or of approbation, and spoke to 
them in many w^onderful ways. 

If Jupiter was angry, then dark clouds gath- 
ered over Rome — lightning darted its forked 
tongue, and the arm of Jupiter hurled the 
heavy thunderbolt ! If the god was at peace, 



52 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

then the blue sky and the bright sunbeam were 
as his smile ! He is a stern-looking old fellow — 
this same Jupiter. We will know him. He 
carries a sceptre in his left hand upon which is 
perched an eagle, and in his right he is usually 
seen grasping the thunderbolts, ready to hurl 
them down upon those who displease him. 

As Jupiter was the king-god of Olympus, so 
was the majestic Juno the queen-goddess, and 
as such, was worshipped by the Romans. 

Mars 

was the god of war — a very lion for bravery 
and magnanimity. And yet he did not disdain 
to become the protector of all cattle, and of 
agricultural pursuits. He also had many beau- 
tiful temples erected to his honor, and those 
who worshipped him, danced before his image, 
clothed in full armor. 

The Goddess Minerva 

was one to be loved. She was supposed to 
preside over the arts and sciences — over poetry 



ROMULUS, THE FIRST KINO OF ROME. 53 

and music ; and, like Mars, did not disdain more 
humble occupations, for she was also the pat- 
roness of sewing, spinning, and weaving. And 
as she was supposed to guide the movements, 
and preserve all brave men on the field of battle, 
so she usually went armed, and wore a helmet 
of gold, with a shining breast-plate. She car- 
ried a lance — and on her shield were snakes! 
Sometimes she took off her helmet, and wore 
a crown of olives, emblem of peace — and again, 
instead of a lance, she carried an owl — and 
this was to signify that she was the goddess of 
wisdom. 

Hercules 

was the giant of Olympus ! Stronger even 
than Samson, he could slay lions, and hydra- 
headed monsters ; and yet feel no more fatigue 
than if he had been snapping off the heads of 
so many little kittens. He was supposed to 
watch with favor all athletic games, or feats of 
strength. Temples were built to him on the 
summit of high hills, and upon the banks of 
rivers. If we should chance to see a god with 



54 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

a lion skin thrown over one shoulder, and with 
a monstrous knotty club in his hand, we can 
safely say, "There is Hercules!" 

Apollo 

was the god the Romans delighted to deify. 
They believed him to be so glorious, that they 
gave him even the sun as his chariot, and com- 
posed many hymns, and built many beautiful 
temples to him. Everywhere the most grace- 
ful statues of Apollo were to be seen. A great 
poet calls this god, " The sun in human limbs 
arrayed." All who worshipped him, believed 
that at the dawn of day, a beautiful goddess, 
named Aurora, veiled in soft rosy clouds, 
aroused Apollo from his sleep, and opened the 
Olympian gates. Then the sun-god mounting 
his fiery chariot, drawn by such steeds as need 
no other hoof-hold than the billowy clouds, 
and followed by the swift gliding Hours, sped 
forth triumphant upon his diurnal round ! Nor 
was this his only care — namely, to awaken the 
earth from sleep. For Apollo was the god of 



ROMULUS, THE FIRST KING OF ROME, 55 

harmony. He was a shepherd too, fond of 
groves, and of quiet meadow brooks. It was 
his dehght to sit under some shady tree, and 
play upon the shepherd's pipe, making sweet 
music. We may meet^him shod in buskins— 
a cloak falKng gracefully from his right shoul- 
der, with a bow and arrows in one hand, and 
a lyre in the other. Around his brows he will 
have a laurel crown. Or perhaps we may see 
him leaning against a tree in a pensive attitude, 
playing upon the pipe. 

Mercury 

was a swift-footed god — and no wonder, for he 
wore wings upon his heels and head too ! So 
Mercury was called the god of speed, and of 
messages — the electric telegraph from the gods 
of Olympus to men ! Even now, when we see 
him represented in marble, or upon the paint- 
er's canvas, we feel that we must look quick, 
or the restless god will be off. 



66 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

Neptune 

ruled the ocean — and when a fleet was about 
to leave their ports, the Eomans sacrificed to 
this god, casting rich ofierings into the sea — 
just as the Chinese do at the present day. We 
cannot mistake old Neptune, for he stands up- 
right in his chariot, formed of one immense 
shell, which is drawn by sea-horses, and furi- 
ous-looking animals they are, dashing and 
splashing the green waves with their great 
hoofs. He always holds a three-tined sceptre, 
like a three-tined fork, in his hand. 
We must give due honors to 

Vulcan, 

" the god of fire." His was an honorable and 
trustworthy profession, for he forged the thun- 
derbolts of his father Jupiter, and the arms 
of all the gods. He was quite deformed it 
seems, and shared so little in the beauty of the 
gods, that they threw him down to earth from 
the Olympian heaven, breaking his leg in the 



ROMULUS, THE FIRST KING OF ROME. 57 

fall ! But for all that he was highly honored, 
and many beautiful temples from time to time 
were built to him. If we should enter into 
one of those temples we would see Vulcan rep- 
resented lame, and standing by an anvil with 
his blacksmith's tools in his hand. 

There was one jolly inhabitant of the Olym- 
pian heavens, whom the Romans supposed to 
preside over their feasts, and as such they did 
him great honors. His name was 

Bacchus. 

It was Bacchus who took care that no blight 
should spread over the young and tender vines. 
It was Bacchus who caused the rich clusters of 
grapes to grow so luxuriantly ; and then, when 
their amber juices were fully ripe, it was Bac- 
chus who presided over the wine-press, and saw 
that the labors of the vine dresser were plen- 
tifully rewarded. And then were great festi- 
vals held in honor of this merry god. Crowned 
with vine leaves, the statue of Bacchus was 
borne through the streets, surrounded by danc- 



58 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

ing maidens and skipping goats. Or perhaps 
some youth was permitted to act the part of 
the god. ; 

Janus 

was a god with two faces, and could see things 
past as well as future. I think I have forgot- 
ten to tell you, that when Romulus admitted 
Titus Tatius, the Sabine king, to share his 
throne, he built a temple to Janus, as a proof 
that both nations were at peace, and to give 
the Romans an idea, perhaps, that " two heads 
were better than one." 

Venus 

was the goddess of all grace and beauty. Cra- 
dled in a shell of pearl, and borne on the 
sparkling sea-foam to a pleasant island ; the 
Hours, they say, took care of the lovely little 
child, and then when she was old enough not 
to be troublesome, they carried her to live with 
Jupiter and Juno in Olympus. She was a 
great favorite with the Roman people. It 
would be impossible to tell how many temples 



B OMUL us, THE FIRST KING OF R03IE. 59 

were raised to her, nor how often they attempted 
to reproduce her exquisite beauty in marble. 
And not satisfied with what their own art 
could accomplish, they travelled to other 
parts of the world to find the ideal of her love- 
liness realized, and then brought those images 
of the goddess to Rome, and set them up in 

her temples. 

Cupid, 

as being a very beautiful boy, was thought to 
be the son of Yenus. He was considered a very 
mischievous, dangerous little fellow to have any 
dealings with. He was full of sport and play, 
and decidedly a most cunning little rogue ! He 
v/as never seen without his bow and arrows, 
which he always kept slyly ready to shoot at 
the hearts of mortals at the most unexpected 
moment ! Cupid was called the god of love. 
Then there was the beautiful goddess 

Diana, 

who was worshipped as the mistress of the 
hunt, and was supposed to roam the forests in 



60 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

buskins and short robes — holding in check a 
favorite hound, and with a bow and arrows 
slung over her shoulder. Sometimes she was 
called Luna — the moon — and wore a silver 
crescent upon her pale brow. I think we shall 
meet this lovely goddess more than once. 



:^SCULAPIUS 

held the responsible office of physician to gods 
and men. He was highly esteemed by the 
Greeks and Romans, as the god of healing. 
Many groves were held sacred to this deity, and 
many temples raised to do him honor. The 
most celebrated was at Epidaurus, in Greece, 
where he was w^orshipped under the form of a 
serpent. In all the statues, or other represen- 
tions which we see of ^sculapius, he bears 
in his right hand a staff, around w^hich, twines 
a serpent. The serpent was looked upon as a 
symbol of prudence and foresight. 

I am very much afraid that you are getting 
tired with this long history of the dwellers 
upon Mount Olympus. In one moment we will 



ROMULUS, THE FIRST KINO OF ROME. 61 

close. I only wish to tell you further, that the 
Romans worshipped Ceres, who took care of 
the corn, and the young wheat, Pomona, who 
guarded their orchards. Flora, who danced 
amid the flowers, and a colony of lovely 
Nymphs for their fountains, their groves, and 
their rivers. 

Much as we may lament the blindness of 
the world, for so many hundreds of years, in 
thus bowing down to gods of wood and stone, 
yet we must acknowledge that in poetry and 
in art we owe much that is beautiful to the 
memory of these heathen deities ! Do you not 
still love to think about the little fairies with 
their silver wands tipped in the moonbeams, 
that we have been told, once flitted in and out 
the summer woods — that danced merrily by the 
meadow brook, — that sipped dewdrops from the 
pretty yellow cowslip, and were borne on the 
rainbow wings of butterflies, just where they 
wanted to go ? Do you not love the memory 
of those graceful little sprites ? I do. For my 
part, I am very sorry they have gone, with all 



62 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS, 

their bewitching ways ! And even those giants 
who strode grimly over the earth, in their 
seven-league boots — well, I own I am sorry 
they do not still stride about ! 

Gods and goddesses, nymphs, satyrs, fauns, 
fairies, and giants have all gone, and only live 
to us in poetic fables, or on the canvas ! Yes, 
we are living in a very prosaic age, there is no 
doubt of it. 

But for the truth, let us bless God ! Although 
we do love to read of those heathen deities — 
Jupiter and Mars — of Juno and Minerva, we 
do it with our senses enlightened. Yes, let us 
bless God for the truth — for that great light 
which shone suddenly upon the world ; to 
make clear the darkness, and to destroy those 
temples, such as St. Paul saw in Athens in- 
scribed to the 

"Unknown God!" 




CHAPTER VI. 



"VrOU will now feel better acquainted, I am 
sure, with the dwellers of Mount Olympus 
when we chance to meet them, and we there- 
fore again salute the good King Eomulus. For 
he was not only a good king but a wise one, 
framing such excellent laws as were held by all 
nations in respect. Even the English, and 
again our own American code of laws, are 
mainly founded upon those which Eomulus 
gave to Kome. 

It is wise men who make good laws. It is 
only fools who break them. 

Intending that Kome should be a city of 
order — Romulus divided the people into three 
sections, and those three he again subdivided 
into ten, and out of compliment to his Sabine 

(63) 



64 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

allies, whose chief city was Cures, he called 
those three sections the " Cured' — and then as 
a farther mark of respect to the Sabine wives 
of the Romans, he gave their names to each of 
the thirty divisions. And when any matters 
of state required their attention, these Curea 
met in council together in an open space called 
the Forum. These meetings were called the 
Gu rea ta Comitiu m . 

Their deliberations were important. No law 
could be passed without their consent. Not 
even the will of the king himself was legal 
unless with the approval of the Curea. 

Romulus also installed a more select body of 
men even than these, chosen from among the 
most talented and experienced men of Rome. 
This body was called the Senate. The original 
number was one hundred- — but after Titus 
Tatius shared the throne with Romulus, one 
hundred more were added, and these were 
wisely chosen from the Sabines. These two 
bodies incorporate were known under the 
venerated title of "Conscript Fathers." 



ROMULUS, THE FIRST KINO OF ROME. 65 

This happy state of things continued about 
five years, and then a most unhappy event oc- 
curred. Friends of King Tatius, living in the 
city of Lavinium, as they were journeying on 
to Rome, which was sixteen miles distant, 
were met by a party from Laurentium. These 
last set upon them, and attempted to rob them 
of their valuables — the people of Lavinium 
stoutly defended themselves — but being over- 
come by superior numbers, they were nearly 
all slain. 

Both of these towns were exceedingly pleas- 
ant, and being situated only three miles from the 
Mediterranean Sea, were consequently regaled 
with its pleasant breezes. At Lavinium were 
many beautiful temples to the gods, and one of 
very great fame which was consecrated to the 
goddess Venus. It is a very little village now — 
even its pretty name is lost. The place is now 
known as Protica. 

Laurentium was so called, because it was 
surrounded with such delightful laurel groves, 
the fragrance of which filled the air around 

6* E 



66 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS, 

with sweetness, while flitting among the glossy 
green leaves were many beautiful birds. Deep 
marshes of tall grass were at no little distance ; 
through which waded wild boars and buffaloes, 
affording most excellent sport for the hunts- 
men. This city, too, is swept away — all gone 
with the laurels, and its name. Torre Paterus, 
a poor, wretched, unhealthy village, is said to 
occupy the site of the once populous Lauren- 
tium. 

Now as King Tatius was so nearly allied to 
the inhabitants of Lavinium, it was of course 
believed that he would at once avenge their 
wrongs, and they sent ambassadors to Eome 
claiming his assistance. But Tatius took no 
notice of this appeal, although it is said Rom- 
ulus advised him to do so. At this they were 
very angry, and swore to be revenged. And 
so when the unsuspecting old king Tatius went 
to Lavinium to sacrifice to the gods, as was his 
yearly custom, some of the wicked people fell 
upon him as he was engaged in those sacred 
rites, and slew him ! 



ROMULUS, THE FIRST KING OF ROME. 67 

When this dreadful news was brought to 
Rome, indignation and horror at so vile a deed, 
shared in the hearts of the people the grief 
which all classes felt for the death of so good 
a man. Fearful of the consequences upon 
themselves, the murderers of the king were 
sent to Eome by the people of Lavinium. But 
Eomulus sent them back, with the words : 

^' Blood for blood !" meaning, as was sup- 
posed, that as the innocent blood of the kins- 
men of King Tatius had been unavenged by 
him — his blood had been required by the gods, 
as an atonement. 

Now soon after, there broke out such a ter- 
rible pestilence in Rome, as was never before 
known! People dropped down dead in the 
streets without any previous sickness. The 
cattle died also, and a destructive blight over- 
spread their corn-fields, their orchards, and 
vineyards. It is said too, that it rained hlood 
upon the city ! 

What could this mean ? Why were the gods 
angry ? Was it not that those men who had 



68 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

killed King Tatius, still lived, and had been 
left unpunished? 

So thought the Romans. So thought Rom- 
ulus. 

Then those murderers were sent for in hot 
haste, and by the judgment of Romulus and 
the Conscript Fathers, met the fate they de- 
served. 

And from that day the plague ceased. 

Not long after these events, a war broke out. 
The people of Fidense, and of Veii, under- 
took to fight against the Roman power. They 
learned a hard lesson by the attempt. Romu- 
lus took the city of Fidenae, and subjugated 
its inhabitants. With the Yeien tines the siege 
was longer — but Romulus came off victorious, 
and marched upon the city to destroy it. But 
the inhabitants came forth to meet him, humbly 
Buing for peace. 

This the Roman king granted, on condition 
that they would give up to him a certain dis- 
trict close upon the boarders of the river Ti- 
ber — which is supposed to have included the 



ROMULUS, THE FIRST KING OF ROME. 69 

limits of the Vatican and Janiculam Hills ; 
and also some salt works at the mouth of the 
river. This was agreed upon, and a truce for 
one hundred years was made between Rome 
and Veii. 

Again all was quiet in Rome. Romulus 
reigned alone. 

For thirty-nine years this good king main- 
tained quiet and order at home, and at the same 
time inspired respect and fear abroad. By the 
Romans he was worshipped almost as a god ; 
especially did the soldiers love him, as one 
truly brave man always loves another. He 
who envies another his greatness, is not brave ! 

But the time was at hand when Romulus 
was to be taken from them, and from the great 
city now covering several hills, which he had 
founded upon one ! 

Although at peace, Romulus never neglected 
to be prepared for war. It was his custom to 
review his whole army at certain seasons, on 
a wide plain just without the walls of the city. 



70 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

This plain was the Campus Martius — or Field 
of Mars. 

Upon one occasion, and the last — the whole 
grand army were drawn up for the inspection 
of their king, who, in great state, went forth 
attended bj his twelve Lictors, and the Con- 
script Fathers, to review this noble Roman 
soldiery. It was while thus engaged, that dense 
black clouds suddenly covered the sky, from 
which the thunder rolled in awful peals, and 
the vivid forked lightning struck terror into 
the hearts even of the boldest men upon the 
ground. And with the thunder and the light- 
ning came also a thick mist — a vapor so dense 
that no man could see the man who stood next 
to him ! 

And behold — ^when the mist was lifted — 
Romulus, their king, was gone! Gone! but 
where? How? In vain they sought him 
through the field. Urged by anxious hands, 
hither and thither gallopped the fiery steeds. 
In terror and confusion the foot soldiers rushed 
through the ranks calling in vain upon their 



ROMULUS, THE FIRST KING OF ROME. 71 

king. Consternation sat upon the faces of the 
Conscript Fathers. At length one of that 
venerable body, who had until the moment re- 
mained silent, and stood as if overcome by 
some great fear, now suddenly lifted up his 
voice, and said : 

" Friends, all — Romans — soldiers ! Look no 
more for your father and king — the god-like 
Komulus. He has ascended to the gods ! Hear 
me. Lo — at the moment when the storm raged 
most furiously, I beheld a chariot of fire de- 
scend from the Olympian heaven — therein was 
seated a mighty god, clothed in bright and daz- 
zling armor. He it was who, catching up our 
beloved king, has borne him from us to dwell 
hereafter with the gods ! Look to see him no 
more." 

A deep silence followed this dreadful an- 
nouncement. Sorrow was on every counte- 
nance, and filled every heart. Had a beloved 
father been suddenly torn at that moment from 
each man upon the field, the feeling of univer- 



72 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILL^. 

sal orphanage could not have been more gen- 
eral. At length a loud cry arose : 

" Let us make Romulus a god !" 

^' Yes, a god !" was re-echoed from every 
mouth. And instantly the whole legion fell 
upon their knees and prayed to Romulus, their 
god — their father — and their king, to bless and 
protect them who were his children ; and for- 
ever to watch over the welfare and happiness 
of Rome^ — the city he had founded. 

It was afterwards said, that taking advantage 
of the heavy mist which so closely shut in the 
good king from sight of the army, the Con- 
script Fathers, ambitious of more power them- 
selves, and beginning to hate Romulus for 
his very virtues, had slain him ; and then cut- 
ting his body in small pieces, had concealed his 
remains under the ample folds of their togas. 
But we need not believe so wicked a deed 
unless we please. 

We have seen that Romulus was a good man ; 
that he ' cultivated those principles of right 
which are planted in every heart, and which 



ROMULUS, THE FIRST KING OF ROME. 73 

flourish like the beautiful garden flowers, shed- 
ding sweet odors around, if they are watched 
and tended with care — otherwise, baneful weeds 
check their growth, and the garden of the heart 
becomes a waste. 

Of course we do not believe for a moment in 
the story of a fabulous god, coming down from 
a fabulous heaven, and bearing Komulus away ! 
We believe no such thing. But we may with 
more reason believe, that as Eomulus was so 
good a man, ruling his people with love and 
equity, and thus serving acceptably the One 
True and Living God, although he hnew Him 
not, that when our Heavenly Father removed 
him from earth, it was from the worship of 
false gods, to the feet of Jesus ! 

Thus deprived of their ruler, what was to 
be expected but disorder and contention in that 
late peaceful city ? 

Who should he their Icing ? That was now 
the question, for Romulus left no son to suc- 
ceed him. 

The Sabines desired a king chosen from their 



74 TEE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

own people. The Romans, on the contrary, 
disdaining any other than a Roman, declared 
that none other than a Roman should sit upon 
the throne of Romulus. There was earnest 
debate and great deliberation on both sides. 
And then a new dilemma suddenly presented 
itself. It was this. What if during their in- 
decision, some foreign power should take the 
opportunity thus afforded them, and attack 
them? Rome without a head ! her armies 
without a leader 1 Seized with this idea, the 
minds of the Conscript Fathers were greatly 
troubled ; and at length they entered into a 
solemn compact to share between them the 
government. In this wise. Ten of the Sena- 
tors were to rule Rome five days in succession. 
One of the chosen ten was to assume more state 
than the others, and to be attended somewhat 
after the fashion of a king. 

And this code of government was called ^'Bi- 
terregnuTriy'^ and is so called to this day. 

Well, this state of things lasted about a year. 
And then the people began to murmur and find 



R03IULUS, THE FIRST KING OF ROME. 75 

fault — saying that in place of one king, they 
now had a hundred kings to obey ! 

When they saw the public mind was so much 
averse to this interregnum — the Senators 
wisely concluded it was best to give Kome a 
king. They accordingly notified the people to 
choose such a man to rule over them as they 
might think worthy to sit upon the throne of 
Romulus, and provided they, the Senate, ap- 
proved the choice, they would confirm it. This 
was very pleasing to the Romans. They ac- 
knowledged the respect paid them by the Sen- 
ate, in thus allowing them to choose a ruler — 
and, not to be outdone in generosity, they 
requested the Conscript Fathers to select their 
king, and they, the people, would vote thereon. 

Heaven surely directed their choice. 

There was at this time living at Cures, a 
man eminent alike for his goodness and for 
his learning — one skilled in philosophy, and in 
all the sciences of the day. He was a man, 
too, fond of retirement and a country life, and 



76 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

passed a great portion of his time in wander- 
ing through the groves and meadows. 

His name was Numa PompiUus. 

Cures was a city of the Sabines. Conse- 
quently Numa was a Sabine. But the Ro- 
mans now felt the importance of selecting for 
their ruler, a just and good man, whether Sa- 
bine or Roman, and therefore both Senate and 
people unanimously conferred the crown upon 
Numa Pompilius, as second king of Rome. 

You remember that when Romulus was 
about to found the city of Rome upon the Pal- 
atine Hill, the event was decided by augury — 
, which means tokens supposed to be received 
from the gods, either in approval or disapproval. 
And even so did Numa command that the gods 
should be consulted, before he would consent 
to accept the throne. When they would have 
put upon him the royal robes, he bade them 
pause until the will of the gods should be 
known. Then taking with him the priests of 
the temple, he went up to the Capitoline Hill. 
One of the priests then covered the head of 



ROMULUS, THE FIRST KINO OF ROME. 77 

Numa, and turned his face toward the south. 
Taking a "crooked stick/' he slowly moved it 
from the north to the south, marking out in 
his own mind a certain space, across which the 
birds were to fly in answer to his prayer. 

"Oh, Father Jupiter!" he cried, placing his 
right hand upon the head of Numa. " If it be 
thy will that Numa Pompilius shall be king of 
Rome, then send forth, I pray thee, thy winged 
messengers the birds, by the way I have marked 
out for them." 

A deep silence followed this appeal. The 
moments rolled on in anxious suspense. But 
within the given time, the birds flew past on 
the right hand ! 

And then Numa took the royal robe, and 
put upon his head the crown, and was declared 
by the will of the gods to be king of Rome. 

This was B. C. 714. 

Here ends the story of Romulus, the first 
king of Rome. 



NUMA POMPILIUS, 



TEE SECOND KINO OF SOME. 



CHAPTER I. 

TZING ROMULUS, borne off in a chariot of 
fire; Numa Pompilius, with the approba- 
tion of gods and of men, seated upon the throne 
of Rome! 

It was there we last parted. Once more 
together, my dear young friends, let us follow 
this King Numa and judge for ourselves whether 
he was worthy to fill the seat of the brave, 
heroic Romulus. We shall find him, I assure 
you, all and even more than was expected of 
him: 

" Ruling tlie people with equity/' 



When once fairly established upon the throne, 
and seeing how great confidence both Romans 
and Sabines reposed in him, he began his reign 

F (81) 



82 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

by instilling more peaceful sentiments into the 
hearts of the people. His first act, according 
to Plutarch, was to dismiss the body of three 
hundred men, whom King Komulus had em- 
ployed as guards about his person; saying, he 
would not distrust the people over whom he 
was called to reign — neither would he have 
them distrust Mm. 

He wished his subjects to be brave, but at the 
same time to feel the duty of preserving peace : 
if necessary, let the foe be promptly met, and 
with courage — but let no war be provoked. 
He would improve them by study and labor. 
He would have them cultivate the soil — to 
navigate the rivers- — to improve their cattle, 
and learn to exchange the rich products of their 
industry with other tribes and nations, for 
what such tribes and nations could offer. In 
short — he would make of his beloved subjects, 
whom he considered as intrusted to his care by 
Jupiter, not only brave warriors, but good citi- 
zens, good husbands, and good fathers. He 
knew that as the minds of the children were 



NUMA POMPILIUSy SECOND KING OF ROME. 83 

moulded into good form, so in like manner 
would be moulded the future of Rome; and 
with a foreknowledge akin to the gods, he looked 
far, far into the coming years, and saw Rome 
the "Queen of Nations" and "The Capital of 
the World!" 

Numa inculcated no principles that he did 
not strictly practise himself. There are per- 
sons who preach eloquently, but fail to prac- 
tise what they preach. Some will cry, " How 
blessed it is to give f while at the same time 
they place a double clasp upon their pocket- 
books ! " The sin of idleness r says another, 
leaning comfortably back in an elbow chair, 
with folded hands. And again there are others, 
who will lift their eyebrows with scorn at the 
idea of cheating one's neighbor, and yet shave 
a sixpence down for the dust. 

Not of this manner of men was the good 
Numa Pompilius — what he counselled he acted. 
The king was a man of great piety. His rev- 
erence for the gods was deep. You remember, 
do you not, what I told you about the Olym- 



84 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

plan heaven, and its fabled gods? These to 
Numa were sacred, and to be worshipped. And 
knowing that no nation is secure that has not 
rehgion for its basis, he began his rule by in- 
stituting many ordinances in honor and rever- 
ence of the Olympian gods, and setting aside 
days wherein no business should be done save 
what was required in the observance of those 
sacred rites. In his own person he performed 
many religious offices, especially those belong- 
ing to a priest of Jupiter. He also appointed 
other priests who were called Flmnens to altend 
upon the temples of the gods, who were dis- 
tinguished by wearing little bands of wool, 
called fillets, and flame-colored tufts on their 
caps. Those persons whom he selected especi- 
ally for the service of Jupiter and of Mars, were 
more highly esteemed, under the title of Pon- 
tifices [Pontiffs]. The highest in rank was 
called Pontifex Maximus. They wore fine soft 
robes, and sat in Curule Chairs. A curule chair 
was a seat without arms or back, placed in a 
chariot and borne by flamens or priests to the 



NU3IA POMPILIUS, SECOND KING OF ROME. 85 

temples, whenever the presence of the pontifices 
were required. 

It is to Numa too, that we owe the months 
of January and February; for, previous to his 
reign, the year was divided into ten months 
only. This was done by Romulus. These 
months Plutarch tells us were irregular in their 
number of days, and all computed only gave to 
the year three hundred and four, instead of 
three hundred and sixty-five. Numa thought 
and studied deeply. He watched the motions 
of the celestial bodies closely, resulting in the 
more equal division of time — adding the two 
months, January and February, and the ad- 
ditional sixty-one days. February was always 
considered an unlucky month by the ancients. 

Not far from the Capitoline Mount, Numa 
erected and dedicated a temple to Janus, who, 
as you will remember, looks two ways — sees 
what has passed — and to the future. These two 
heads were also styled "Peace," and '^War." 
When the gates were thrown open," the head 
of war was seen. When closed, the head of 



86 THE SEVEN KINGS OF TEE SEVEN HILLS. 

peace alone was visible. The horrid face of 
"grim war" was never seen during the whole 
forty years that Numa reigned in Eome ! Think 
what happiness Kome enjoyed, with peace in 
her palaces, and plenty in her streets! 

Nor was so glorious an example lost upon 
the neighboring states. They beheld her with 
respect, and would not make war on a city so 
devoted to the worship of the gods. 

There is in Rome at this day, a most grace- 
ful little building which is called the " Temple 
of Yesta." Perhaps you may have seen a draw- 
ing of it. It is not, of course, the very same 
temple which Numa erected to that goddess, 
though it bears the same form. This temple 
dates back to the time of Vespasian, A. D. 70, 
and is one of the best preserved monuments of 
ancient Rome — a perfect picture of grace, though 
black and stained by the hand of time. There 
is now no statue to Vesta within its beautiful 
columned portico, but an altar is there raised to 
the Living God, and before it. Christians kneel 



NmiA POMPILIUS, SECOND KING OF ROME. 87 

in humble prayer. It was built for pagan wor- 
ship — but God has consecrated it to Himself. 
But in the days of Numa, he raised a tem- 
ple to Vesta, the guardian of domestic happi- 
ness, the goddess who watched over the home 
hearth, and the sacred fire that was kindled 
thereon. This shows what a loving, gentle na- 
ture Numa possessed. Numa appointed young 
girls, who were called Vestals, to watch night 
and day over the sacred fire lighted within the 
temple, that this bright flame consecrated to 
Vesta and to domestic love, should not go out. 
It was a beautiful ordinance. It is true we 
have no goddess Vesta in our day, yet we have 
as strict a duty to perform as did those Vestals. 
It is our duty to watch that the fire of affection 
upon our own domestic hearths is not extin- 
guished. Let every youth of whatever age, 
endeavor to keep this lovely flame of home 
love bright and clear. Never let it die out, 
until that sad hour come, when the Angel of 
Death with his dark wing sweeps it away be- 
yond our relighting. 



CHAPTER II. 

^HEKE is at the present day on the Via 
Appia [Appian Way], about two miles 
from Rome, a little grotto half concealed amid 
the vines which in wild and tangled luxuriance 
wave over its humid walls. The dark-leaved 
ilex trees, and the tall cypress, wave their sol- 
emn branches above it. Around spreads the 
desolate Campagna, where every night-breeze 
that blows over the waste, comes fraught with 
pestilence and death, so that no man can dwell 
thereon. Old towers and tombs rise like ghosts 
of the past; and the broken chain of aque- 
ducts seem leaping across the plain, as if they 
too would fain fly from the spot. In this 
grotto a lovely little fountain bubbles up its 

bright waters, in which long sprays of pretty 

(88) 



NmiA POMPILWS, SECOND KING OF ROME. 89 

maidenhair, and the feathery fern, dip and 
dance. The floor yet bears a few fragments of 
variegated marbles, and around the sides are 
niches which once held beautiful statues. 

This was the grotto of the goddess Egeria. 

Egeria was no doubt a beautiful, highly culti- 
vated woman, although the Komans in their 
early superstition have claimed for her the title 
of a goddess, and as such she is spoken of by 
ancient writers, and is still remembered. 

Egeria was the friend of Numa, who believed 
her to be inspired by Jupiter with greatness — 
by Minerva with wisdom — by Juno with her 
love for nature — by Apollo with grace, and by 
Venus with beauty. 

And the wise Numa did not disdain to seek 
instruction even from the lips of this talented 
woman. Near tlie decline of day at a certain 
hour, he took his way alone to the grotto — this 
favorite retreat of Egeria, who there awaited his 
coming. Shepherds passing that way with their 
fleecy flocks, heard the sweet tones of her voice, 
and as they dared to look, they saw their good 
8* 



90 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

King Numa sitting as one entranced near the 
edge of the fountain, gazing up into the inspired 
countenance of Egeria ; and as lie caught the 
words of wisdom which fell from her lips, tran- 
scribed them on sheets of parchment. 

Twelve books filled with all wisdom and 
piety did Numa write by her dictation. These 
were called the ^^ Sacred Books." And when 
Numa came to die, he ordered those twelve 
books to be placed in a stone coffin by them- 
selves, and buried side by side with his own 
body, which he forbade to be burned as was 
then the custom. Both coffins of stone were 
therefore buried upon the Janiculum Hill. 
That containing the remains of Numa was 
borne upon the shoulders of the Conscript 
Fathers, and followed by all the people, deeply 
lamenting with sighs and tears the loss of their 
beloved friend and king. 

Five hundred years after, and one hundred 
before the birth of our Saviour, these wonder- 
ful volumes were discovered. A heavy fall of 
rain having washed away the earth which 



NUMA POMPILIUS, SECOND KINO OF ROME. 91 

covered the coffins, and the lids falUng off, one 
was found empty, but in the other were the 
volumes inspired by Egeria. All of these books 
were then ordered by the Senate to he burned ! 
The reason is plain. For in the mean time the 
Romans had introduced into their religion 
many superstitious and foolish observances, 
which found no counterpart in those books of 
wisdom — therefore they wished them to be de- 
stroyed. And so they burned them. 

There were no startling events in the life of 
Numa Pompilius. But a king that could for 
forty years maintain peace and order, and gain 
the love and respect of the Roman people, while 
at the same time he instilled into every heart 
a sense of its own self-respect and courage, was 
worthy the love of Rome, and of a tender rev- 
erence from us. 

When Numa accepted the call of the Roman 
people to reign over them, he was forty years 
old. He died at the age of eighty, before 
Christ 674. Numa left one daughter who was 



92 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

named Pompilia, and a little grandson, then 
five years old, who was called Ancus Marcius. 

Eome mourned not alone for the good king. 
Far and near he was regretted. And it is said 
that when the goddess Egeria, so called, you 
remember, by the Romans, was told that Numa 
was dead, she wept so bitterly that Jupiter in 
pity for her grief, changed her from a goddess 
to a fountain, that her tears could flow for ever. 

Here ends the story of Numa Pompilius, the 
second king of Rome. 




TULLUS HOSTILIUS, 

THE THIRD KING OF ROME. 



CHAPTER I. 

"VVTE now enter upon more stirring scenes. 

The good King Numa dead, the Eoman 
people were again in perplexity, and until a 
king could be found, the state once more 
adopted the Interregnum, or alternate rule of 
the two hundred Senators. But this met with 
no more favor than did the interregnum after 
the death of Romulus. 

Tullus Hostilius was finally chosen by the 
people and Senate as king of Rome. Hostilius 
the father had done good service in the days 
of Romulus, and therefore the choice of the 
people pointed to his son Tullus. 

A very different man had they now to deal 
with. A tiger and a lamb could not be more 
unlike than Tullus Hostilius and Numa Pom- 

(95) 



96 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

pilius. Numa promoted peace at home and 
abroad. Tullus, on the contrary, incited the 
people first to contentions — then to war. 

Mounted upon the throne, he looked around 
withm Rome : he saw the temple of Janus with 
closed gates, displaying only the front of Peace. 
Day by day he saw his subjects go forth from 
their homes to their several occupations, — some 
to their merchandise — -some to skilful hus- 
bandry, and others to till the fields, or drive 
their flocks to pasture. At night, each man 
returned to his happy dwelling, where K)und 
the open door sat their wives with their little 
ones. No warrior tents dotted the Campagna. 
The trumpet and bugle were silent. Over the 
green plains roved the dove-hued cattle undis- 
turbed — the little sheep-folds were "full of 
sheep," and the sounds wafted thence, were the 
sweet rural sounds of lowing herds, and the 
happy songs of the shepherds. 

Tullus saw also the devotion paid to the 
gods, and that the lessons of piety implanted 
by Numa had indeed taken deep root, and 



TULLUS HOSTILIUS, THIRD KING OF ROME. 97 

were yielding rich fruitage. Such was the scene 
which Tullus found at home. Then he looked 
abroad. The Dove of Peace sat there also. 
There was nothing to feed his warlike appetite. 

^^Come," said he, "this will not do. I am 
no woman to play with doves and nightingales ! 
No. Ye gods, it is not thus King Tullus will 
rule Rome ! Too long have the people grown 
fat and waxed slothful. Their swords are 
blunted — their armor is rusty. Unloose for me 
the bold Roman Eagle, so long sitting with 
folded wings, and eyes all a-film! Let mine 
be the task to rouse these Romans from their 
rest — throw wide the gates of Janus — make 
sharp their blunted swords, and with hard blows 
clink the rust from their armor." 

Sixteen miles from Rome stood the city of 
Alba Longa. You remember, without doubt, 
that in Alba the twins Romulus and Remus 
were born, and were then cast forth upon the 
waters of the river by their cruel uncle 
Amulius, 



98 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

" Who spake the words of doom : 
" The children to the Tiber, 
The mother to the tomb." 

In the time of Tulhis it was a flourishing, 
populous city; and upon its subjugation the 
mind of the Roman king was bent. An occa- 
sion soon offered. A fosse, or ditch, marked the 
boundaries of the Roman and Alban territories, 
and hither the herdsmen of both cities drove 
their cattle to pasture, and cultivated their re- 
spective fields. Although on friendly terms, 
yet instances of aggression had been known on 
both sides. King Romulus could not eradicate 
all evil from the hearts of his subjects, and 
even in his reign, Romans had encroached upon 
Alban rights, and Albans upon Roman. But 
Numa referring all such difficulties to the gods, 
by his peaceful influence soon quieted their dis- 
turbances. 

Ah, Tullus was not Numa! On the first 
complaint he started up : 

^^What!" cried he. Do these Alban boors 
presume to rob Roman citizens ! We will give 



TULLUS HOSTILIUS, THIRD KING OF R03TE. 99 

them a lesson to read upon the blades of our 
swords !" 

How easy it is to incite angry passions ! " Be- 
hold w^hat a smoke a little fire kindleth !" says 
the proverb, and the smoke of King TuUus's 
angry breath was wafted into the nostrils of the 
Romans. First he sent ambassadors to de- 
mand restitution from the hands of the king 
of Alba. At the same time came ambassadors 
from Alba Longa for a like purpose, they 
deeming themselves to be the injured party. 
They returned home on both sides without 
effecting any compromise. And again the king 
of Alba sent to the king of Rome. 

The messengers came before Tullus with 
great show of respect, but at the same time 
boldly made known the mind of their king — 
viz. : That unless restitution of property was 
given them, their orders were to declare war 
between Alba and Rome. 

War ! delightful sound in the ears of the 
fiery Tullus Hostilius ! Nothing could equal 



100 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

the fierceness of his anger, however, as turning 
to the ambassadors he said: 

" Go tell your master that the king of Rome 
needs no second challenge ! I call the gods to 
witness, ye have caused this war. Let its blood 
be upon you ! Go to your master and tell him 
that in thirty days he will feel what it is to 
provoke a Roman." 

Then did preparations for the coming strug- 
gle commence with great activity — and through 
the late quiet streets of Rome, now rang the 
din of arms. It w^as a pity, for the Albans 
were nearly connected by ties of blood with 
the Romans — the Romans, themselves descend- 
ed from the kings of Alba Longa 1 

The thirty days' truce was ended. Both 
armies were ready. The Albans marched first 
to the field, and intrenched themselves within 
the Roman territory. And then a strange 
thing happened. Before any battle could be 
fought, the king of Alba was seized wdth a 
pestilential fever, and died suddenly within the 
camp. 



TULLUS HOSTILIUS, THIRD KING OF ROME. 101 

Another leader for the Alban army was cho- 
sen. His name was Me tins Fuffetius. 

When the tidings that the Alban king was 
dead, reached the ears of Tullus Hostilius, he 
rejoiced exceedingly, for he looked upon it as 
a favor of the gods shown to himself. And he 
said : 

" I thank thee, Jupiter, that by thus smiting 
down the king of Alba, thou hast made known 
to the Koman people, that thy vengeance wall 
be poured out upon the race of Alba Longa !" 

To those who believed as did the Komans in 
the interference of the Olympian gods with the 
affairs of mankind, the death of the Alban 
king inspired them with fresh spirit, and thus 
sure of the favor of Jupiter and of Mars, they 
followed their bold leader, the king himself in 
person, joyfully to the field. 

Adroitly passing the camp of the enemy dur- 
ing the darkness of the night, Tullus with 
his brave army encamped within the Alban 
borders, taking care to leave a sufficient force 
to defend the gates of Rome. 



102 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

The next day both armies drew up in order 
of battle. Then a herald was suddenly seen 
approaching, with apparent haste, the Eoman 
camp. His errand was made known. Metius 
FufFetius, the Alban general, demanded a con- 
ference with the king and leader of the Roman 
army. This was granted. 

Then while both armies in the full panoply 
of war, spread far over the plain, Tullus Hos- 
tilius and Metius Fuflfetius, each attended by 
their chief officers, met between the hostile 
ranks. 

Metius was the first to speak : 

" King Tullus, you have called the gods to 
witness that this war is of our seeking, /call 
the gods to witness that it is to you we owe it ! 
You have denied us redress for the plunder »f 
your subjects, and therefore are we thus drawn 
up in battle to secure what you, King Tullus, 
have refused. Our armies are strong. They 
are brave. They will fight nobly, both Albans 
and Romans — for, king, have we not the same 
warlike blood in our veins ? Let us not be hasty. 



TULLUS HOSTILIUS, THIRD KING OF ROME. 103 

Let US reflect and be wise. A powerful state 
is around us. The Etruscans already aim at 
our conquest. When our numbers are dimin- 
ished by war — when our men are enfeebled by 
fatigue, and our resources become low, then, do 
you not think, King Tullus, that this people will 
seize the opportunity never before afforded 
them, and in turn become victors alike of the 
victors and the vanquished ? 

" Let us then consult together, that we may 
adopt some plan by which our present griev- 
ances may be settled without risking the alter- 
native of war." 

Tullus, although eager to bathe his sword in 
Alban blood, yet saw the facts as Metius saw 
them. He replied: 

" You speak well, Metius Fuflfetius. But 
that ye have fastened this war upon Rome, I 
again appeal to Jupiter, who has already slain 
your king in token of his displeasure against 
you. I am not unwilUng, however, to confer 
with you, that together we may form some 



104 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

at 

treaty which shall be alike for the honor of 
Rome and of Alba." 

What that treaty was the next chapter will 
tell us. 





CHAPTER II. 

"^OW it was a singular fact, that in the camp 
of the Horn an army were three brothers, 
born at the same time, of equal strength and 
bravery. They were called Horatii. And in 
the Alban army were also three brothers born 
at the same time. They were named Curiatii.* 
This remarkable coincidence was looked upon 
as having been especially assigned by the gods 
as a means of settling this warfare between 
Eomans and Albans. It was therefore agreed 
by both parties, that the Horatii and the Cu- 
riatii should meet in mortal combat, and with 
their swords decide this contest. Whichever 



* We are told by Dionysius that the mothers of these 

brave youths were sisters. 

(105) 



106 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

side, be it Roman or be it Alban, the cham- 
pions came off conquerors, then the defeated 
party, representing the whole state, should be 
subject to the other without any dispute or 
further warfare. 

This compact was sealed. The six brave 
youths, ready to sacrifice their own lives to 
preserve the many, solemnly prepared them- 
selves for the fatal combat. 

That night the two armies slept in peace 
under the calm light of the moon. At the 
dawn of day, both were astir to witness the 
coming contest between combatants equal in 
rank, in strength, in valor, and in the justness 
of their cause. 

Laying by their swords, and lifting their hel- 
mets from their brows, the soldiers seated them- 
selves in ranks upon the grass; while King 
Tullus and Me tins, in all the splendor of their 
rank, stood side by side to meet a crisis so tre- 
mendous; which was to give either Rome to 
Alba, or Alba to Rome, 

Scarcely had the sun tipped the mountain 



TULLUS HOSTILIUS, THIRD KING OF ROME. 107 

tops, ere the brothers were seen with burnished 
swords and glittering armor approaching. The 
Horatii from the Roman camp — the Curiatii 
from the Alban. As they appeared— so young, 
so brave — shout after shout rose up from both 
armies : 

" The gods be with you, brave Horatii !" 
"Strike for Alba, brave Curiatii!" 
And then all men held their breath. 
Brave, handsome youths they were. Per- 
sonal danger they heeded not. It was for 
Rome — for Alba, they fought. Each noble 
youth bore in his own bosom the horror of an 
enslaved people, and rather than such should 
be tjie fate of their countrymen-— their friends 
and kinsfolk, they would dare the struggle even 
to the death! 

The signal given, with a prayer to the gods 
they rushed furiously to the combat! Sword 
clashed with sword — sharp, quick, death-dealing 
strokes ! No word was spoken — no sound heard, 
save the meeting of flashing steel ! 

Now blood was seen to follow the sword- 



108 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

strokes. A Horatius staggers — he uplifts his 
sword with a vain effort to strike — it drops from 
his hand — he clutches the air wildly — alas, he 
falls ! 

The strife grows hotter. Another Horatius has 
fallen I 

What dismay to the Eomans ! But the three 
Curiatii are wounded — blood is seen trickling 
through their armor. The third Horatius is 
unhurt. 

A shout arose from the Alban camp, as they 
witnessed the fall of the second Horatius. And 
the Romans cry: 

" Fight on, brave Horatius ! The gods are 
with you !" 

The Curiatii, however, are but slightly 
wounded, and, fired with the triumph of having 
slain the two Roman brothers, they rush upon 
the last Horatius. He, seeing how unequal will 
be the struggle, has resort to strategy. He 
turns and flies the field ! Looking behind him, 
he sees, as he expected, the three brothers pur- 
suing him — but not together — some distance 




THE HORATIl AND CUUFATII. 



TULLUS HOSTILIUS, THIRD KING OF R03{E. 109 

divides them. Slacking his pace a little to 
allow the first of the Curiatii to come up with 
him, he suddenly turns and plunges his sword 
into the breast of his pursuer ! 

Loud shouts now rise from the camp of the 
Eomans — for see, Horatius meets and slays the 
second Curiatius, and now rushes back to meet 
the third ! The contest was now, indeed, un- 
equal, for Horatius was without a wound, while 
Curiatius, bleeding and fainting with exhaus- 
tion, still strove vainly to defend himself Ho- 
ratius stood before him, and then turning to 
the Koman camp, he cried with a loud voice : 

'' Two of the Curiatii have I offered to the 
shades of my brothers — the third, I offer to 
Rome — that Rome may rule over Alba !" So 
saying, with one blow, he slew the last of the 
brave Curiatii ! 

The Romans received their victor with shouts 
of triumph and congratulations, and the king 
greeted him with the greeting due to a brave 
man. 

And then both Romans and Albans went 

10 



110 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

forth mournfully, and buried the dead where 
they fell. 

The tombs of these noble youths now form 
solemn mounds upon the Appian Way. The 
tall grass waves above them, and the trailing 
myrtle which loves to shield the dead, clusters 
thickly with the pretty wild flowers around 
their green slopes. Gone are all the splendid 
decorations of marble and stucco, which hon- 
ored these youths — gone are the statues raised 
to their memory ! all are gone, save the mas- 
sive blocks of Alban stone forming the found- 
ation, upon which these tombs of the cham- 
pions rested. On one — the first of the Curiatii 
who fell by the cunning strategy of the last 
Horatius, rises a modern tower. The height 
of these mounds is probably twenty feet — their 
circumference Mty. And as you look beyond 
them, you see the plain on which the two armies 
awaited the issue of that fatal combat. 

I have told you this, in order to show you, 
that although so many centuries have rolled 
away since those brave brothers fell, yet these 



TULIUS HOSTILIUS, THIRD KING OF R03IE. Ill 

sacred mounds wherein by warrior hands their 
ashes were placed, still remain to thrill the 
heart with the story of the Horatii and Curi- 
atii ! 

But to return. Both armies retired in peace 
to their cities. Tullus Hostilius took no ad- 
vantage ofhis victory — only saying, as he parted 
from the Alban general : 

" Metius, keep the young men well trained 
in arms; I shall want to use them T 

So you see both sides accepted the fate of the 
combat. 

And now a most afflicting event occurred. 
When the Roman army entered Rome, the 
victor Horatius walked first, with the spoils of 
the vanquished borne before him. The sister 
of Horatius, a lovely girl of very tender age, 
was already betrothed to one of the Curiatii, 
and not knowing of the disastrous event, went 
forth to the city gates to meet her brothers. 
Seeing upon the shoulder of Horatius a mili- 
tary robe which she herself had wrought for 
her lover, she needed no word to tell her he 



112 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

was slain! And with cries and lamentations 
ehe began to call upon bis name. 

Tbat his sister should weep, even for her be- 
trothed husband, while all others were rejoic- 
ing — and that his victory should thus be met 
by her reproaches — so excited the anger of Ho- 
ratius that, losing all self control, in the fury 
of his passion he drew his sword, and pierced 
the unfortunate young girl to the heart, ex- 
claiming as he did so : 

'' May every Roman woman thus perish, who 
mourns an enemy !" 

A sad and bitter ending indeed for the victory 
he had won. 

The people around, shocked at a deed so 
cruel and unnatural, seized Horatius and led 
him before King Tullus for judgment. The 
king was greatly moved. To his mind the 
bravery shown that day by the Horatii, and its 
important results, far outweighed the fratrici- 
dal deed, and unwilling himself to pronounce 
sentence, he gave him liberty to appeal to the 
public. Should that voice proclaim him guilty, 



TULLUS HOSTILIUS, THIRD KINO OF ROME. 113 

then the penalty was — death! the unhappy 
youth to be hung with ropes, his head down- 
wards. 

Horatius availed himself of the king's per- 
mission, and appealed to his countrymen. But 
a f\ir stronger appeal than the unhappy young 
man could make, was made by his poor old 
father. He came forward to justify his son for 
the murder of his daughter. Said he : 

" Do you suppose, Romans, that had T not 
thought him justified, I would have left the 
punishment of my son to any other than my own 
sword ! Romans ! this day two of my sons have 
given their lives for you! I ask the life of the 
third. Give him to me! Do you not remember 
that to my three brave boys you owe your freedom 
from Alban slavery ? Look upon this youth — 
my boy — alas, my only boy — would you see 
your benefactor bound to a gallows ? Romans, 
/ demand my son /" 

The people, moved to pity by this appeal of 
the bereaved old man, at once released Ho- 
ratius. 

10* H 



114 



THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 



Not far from the old Capena Gate, on the 
spot of her cruel murder, they buried the young 
Horatia. Her sepulchre is still shown. 





CHAPTER III. 

n^HE treaty made with Alba Longa, and 
sealed with the blood of the Horatii and 
Curiatii, was soon brought to a most disastrous 
termination through the treachery of Metius 
Fuffetius the Alban general. And in the fol- 
lowing manner. 

No battle having been fought, and the ques- 
tion of conquest settled by the loss of five lives, 
in place of thousands ; why, the consequence 
was, that the fiery blood of Tullus still cried 
out for war. And the Koman soldiers having 
armed themselves for a battle so peacefully 
ended, felt their own warlike spirits had been 
aroused by the clank of arms, — they thought of 
the days of their fathers when Komulus led forth 

(115) 



116 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

his armies to battle, and they longed to throw 
wide the gates of Janus. 

Etruria bordered very closely upon the Eo- 
man territory; only separated by the river 
Tiber. Before Rome was — the Etruscans were 
a people of great power. Not only had they 
attained high cultivation, but even lived in a 
state of luxury. In fact we are told by ancient 
writers, that at one time almost all of Italy 
was under the sway of Etruria. Veii was one 
of their large cities. You remember, do you 
not, that it was with the people of Veii that 
King Romulus entered into a treaty of peace 
to continue one hundred years? Pity such 
treaties could not be made and hejpt by all na- 
tions on the face of the globe ! 

Fidenas had been an Etrurian city un- 
until after its conquest by Romulus — since 
which time it had remained a Roman colony. 
But the yoke sat heavy on the neck of this 
once free and prosperous city, and not long 
after the victory gained over the Albans by 
Tullus Hostilius, they prevailed upon the in- 



TULLUS HOSTILIUS, THIRD KING OF ROME. 117 

habitants of Veil to unite with them in shak- 
ing off their bondage. Accordingly, the people 
of Fidense openly revolted against Rome, and 
drove from their gates the Roman colonists. 

Here was just the state of things King Tul- 
lus most desired, and he rose like a giant in his 
wrath to put down this rebellion. Despatch- 
ing messengers at once to Metius Fuflfetius, to 
join him with the whole Alban army, 
the king massed his soldiers, and bore down 
with his legions upon the Etruscans — viz: the 
Veientines, and the people of Fidense. Cross- 
ing the river Anio, Tullus pitched his camp in 
the plain where the Tiber and the Anio unite 
their waters. 

Against the Veientines he marched his own 
Roman army. To the strength and bravery of 
the Albans, he allots Fidenae. 

Unsuspicious of treachery, Tullus opens the 
fight. 

And now Metius shows his cloven foot ! See- 
ing how great was the force 'of the enemy, he 
is seized with a spirit to be revenged upon the 



118 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

Roman king, not unmingled, however, with 
a cowardice which perhaps did as much to in- 
fluence his actions. To avoid the attack, while 
at the same time he leaves his Eoman allies in 
the lurch, Metius files off his troops slowly 
toward the mountains. Having led them far 
enough to suit his purpose, he halts his men. 
His idea was, to watch the chances of the bat- 
tle — and then — to join with his army either 
force, where victory led ! 

The Eomans engaged before Fidense saw this 
desertion of their allies with perfect astonish- 
ment, and sent a messenger at once to com- 
municate the fact to their king, then engaged 
in a furious battle with the Yeientines. 

King Tullus heard. He swore an oath to 
the gods, and vowed two temples to Panic and 
Paleness. But not to make known his belief 
in the desertion of Metius, he dashed for- 
ward, and proclaimed in a loud voice that the 
Alban general had with admirable strategy 
only filed off in the direction of the mountains, 



TULLUS HOSTILIUS, THIRD KING OF ROME. 119 

that he might the better sweep down upon the 
unprotected rear of the enemy. 

Hearing, and believing this, the soldiers now 
fought like tigers. Tullus Hostilius himself 
pushing forward against the Fidenates, soon 
routed their whole army. Throwing away 
their arms they fled, some to the river — some 
to the mountains. Tullus, the war-king, had 
fighting enough that day ! 

After thus overcoming the Fidenates, he 
dashed back again to where the battle was 
raging with the Yeientines. A more desperate 
fight had never been fought by the Romans 
than that day witnessed — yet they came off 
victorious. The Etruscan army was most fa- 
tally repulsed and slain. 

And now King Tullus turned his attention 
to the Alban army, which at the last had come up 
with some show of fighting. Metius had even 
the effrontery to congratulate the Roman king 
upon the fortunate issues of the day. Tullus 
made him no reply, save with such a look of 
scorn as chilled the blood of the false Alban. 



120 THE SEVEN KINGS OF TEE SEVEN HILLS. 

The king then assembling the Eoman army, 
thus spoke: 

" Komans ! Soldiers ! To the immortal gods 
do you owe your thanks for this day's victory ! 
It was not alone an open foe you have had to 
deal with, a brave enemy who gave stroke for 
stroke, blow for blow — but you have suffered 
from the treachery of our allies ! Defended by 
the gods, you have bravely met both armies of 
the Etruscan foe! That power which was ex- 
pected to share with you the struggle and the 
triumph, basely and perfidiously deserted you 
in the person of Metius Fuffetius, the Alban 
general. Romans, Metius has violated our 
treaty, sealed with the brave blood of the Ho- 
ratii and the Curiatii !" Then turning to the 
Alban army, he continued : " Alba Longa 
shall be no more. Your city I will destroy, nor 
leave one stone upon another. Your inhabit- 
ants I will transplant to Rome. I will admit 
your nobles into the Senate — you shall share 
our laws — we will become one people. As for 
you, Metius Fuffetius, you are a traitor! false 



TULLUS HOSTILIUS, THIRD KING OF ROME. 121 

to the gods, — false to the shades of the Curiatii ! 
As your mind was divided between Fidenae and 
Kome, even so shall your traitorous body be 
divided !" 

Then ordering two chariots to be brought 
forward to which were harnessed four spirited 
horses, Metius was extended at full length be- 
tween them, and bound down. Then the 
chariots were driven off rapidly in different di- 
rections. The result can be imagined, but is 
too horrible for us to dwell upon. 

"Thus perish all traitors!" cried Tullus. 
'^To thee, Jupiter, I offer this sacrifice !* 

The unfortunate dwellers in the city of 
Alba Longa, how must we pity their sad fate ! 
For the Roman king without delay kept his 
word, and sent thither a strong force to destroy 
the city, and to bring back its inhabitants to 
Rome. 

That beautiful city with its lovely temples 

and groves — where the calm waters of the 

Alban Lake swept its base, and the mountains 
11 



122 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

reared their tall crests above! Alas, for this 
beautiful city! 

That day, the helpless women, feeble old 
men, and youths not yet old enough to follow' 
the Alban general to the field ; while praying 
to the gods for the lives of their husbands, their 
fathers, sons, and brothers, saw that legion of 
Roman cavalry dashing down upon them, as 
swoops the eagle on its prey! Alas! helpless 
to resist, they stood paralyzed with terror, wit- 
nessing the destruction of their household gods ! 
saw their dwellings torn down, their goods scat- 
tered, and their beloved city put to the fire and 
sword ! And then when destruction had left 
nothing more to destroy ; then were they driv- 
en forth with the sound of crashing walls in 
their ears, and the dust of their falling dwell- 
ings mingling with their tears. 

Unhappy souls ! Can you believe that in a 
few hours the Romans destroyed the work of 
four hundred years ! By the commands of Tul- 
lus Hostilius the temples of the gods were alone 
spared the general ruin. 



TULLUS HOSTILIUSy THIRD KING OF ROME. 123 

Less than three hundred years ago, where 
were our own fine cities and towns which now 
cover America from the Atlantic to the Pacific? 
Look at New York — at Philadelphia — Boston, 
with so many noble younger cities stretching 
themselves over the far West ! Would it not 
be a dreadful thing to see either, in the space 
of a few hours, laid waste by an invading 
army ? 

To make things more real, we must bring 
the subject home. 




CHAPTER ly. 

"DOME prospered greatly after uniting the 
Alban population. Tullus treated them 
with respect, and appointed their nobles to take 
place with the Conscript Fathers in the Senate. 
He also extended the limits of the city, and built 
himself a splendid palace upon the Coelian Hill. 
He erected a new Senate house, which he 
called after himself, the " Curia Hostilia." 
And all this time he suffered not his army to 
diminish, nor neglect those exercises which form 
a good soldier. 

This done — and then, as you have seen a 
great spider looking out from his well- woven 
web, for something to prey on — so did Tullus 
sit within his new palace, and look abroad for 
war. He found it. 

(124) 



TULLUS EOSTILIUS, THIRD KING OF R03IE. 125 

You remember the Sabines. Although they 
figured so largely in the time of Romulus, we 
have heard little from them of late. But now 
they again come before us as a prosperous peo- 
ple, having in all these years grown rich and 
powerful. Nearly connected by marriage with 
their Roman neighbors, and by the reign of the 
good old king Titus Tatius, who you remember 
ruled Rome with Romulus, for we must not 
forget our old friends ; yet the Sabines had come 
to look with coldness upon Rome, and in sev- 
eral instances had dared to defy her power. 

Now King TuUus saw this. He resolved, 
therefore, to nip this growing bud of rivalry. 
A pretext soon offered, and war was declared. 

And again was Rome victorious. It seemed 
indeed, as if Romulus, whom the Romans had 
made a god under the name of Quirinus, still 
protected his own city ! Wars which devas- 
tated other countries, only served to strengthen 
the power of Rome. The suckling of the Pal- 
atine Wolf still infused, as it were, a fierceness 
11* 



126 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

of spirit and daring which could not be sub- 
dued. 

With the Sabine conquest, the wars of King 
Tullus Hostilius ended. For it was but a short 
time after, that one morning just as the day be- 
gan to dawn, a horseman was seen galloping at 
full spesd through the Capena Gate, and up the 
Coelian Hill. Arriving at the imperial palace, 
he threw himself from his panting steed, and 
demanded to be conducted into the presence of 
the king : 

^^0 king!" he cried, ^^be it known to thee, 
that upon the summit of the Alban Mount, red- 
hot stones are raining down from Olympus ! 
The anger of the gods is about to destroy us. 
We beseech thee, king, to petition Jupiter in 
our behalf!" 

And lo — when Tullus, the king, sent forth 
persons in great haste to inquire into this 
strange story, they brought back word, that not 
only was the air obscured by the swift descent 
of red-hot stones, and cinders, but that strange 
voices and hollow murmurings were heard un- 



TULLUS BOSTILIUS, THIRD KING OF ROME. 127 

der the earth, as though the infernal gods had 
broken loose 1 

We know of course this strange event was 
but the bursting forth of a volcano. 

When the king heard the reports brought 
back by his messengers, he was greatly moved. 
What no foe could inspire, that silent little 
monitor, Conscience, did — and that was Fear ! 

Then Tullus began to think of the good King 
Numa, and of the religious ordinances which 
he had framed, but which he Tullus had so neg- 
lected ! And the king trembled upon his throne, 
lest the anger of the gods was about to destroy 
him. 

And it is a singular fact that at this time a 
mortal pestilence swept over Rome, and King 
Tullus himself was seized with a lingering dis- 
ease. 

Throwing aside the weapons of war, Tullus 
now commanded the Roman people to offer sac- 
rifices to the angry gods. New altars were 
raised- — new temples were built, and new rites 
solemnized. Instead of spending his days as of 



128 TEE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

old in studying warlike stratagems, the king 
now passed his days and nights in religious or- 
dinances, if happily by so doing he might ap- 
pease the wrath of the heathen gods ! 

One day consulting some old volume found 
in one of the temples, he discovered therein a 
certain solemn sacrifice of a secret nature which 
had not once been offered to Jupiter. Full of 
hope that he had now obtained the power to 
propitiate the ^^ Father of all gods, and of men^'' 
he shut himself up in a chamber of his palace, 
for the purpose of offering that mysterious 
rite. 

But behold ! while thus engaged in that sol- 
emn sacrifice to Jupiter, a thunderbolt struck 
King Tullus dead ! and himself, and his palace, 
and all that it contained, were burned to ashes ! 
This was B. C. 642. 

Tullus Hostilius ruled Rome thirty-two years. 

Here ends the story of Tullus Hostilius, the 
third kins: of Rome. 



ANGUS MARCIUS, 

THE FOURTH KING OF ROME. 




CHAPTER I. 

T\/^E are getting on very well, my young 
friends. When we saw Romulus mark 
out the walls of '' Roma Quadrata" upon the 
Palatine Hill, we were seven hundred and fifty- 
three years in advance of the birth of Christ! 
And we have now come down to six hundred 
and forty-two years. You have made the jour- 
ney pleasantly, I hope, and if you are not tired, 
it will be for our advantage to enter Rome once 
more, and follow out the fortunes of the Fourth 
King of the Seven Hills. 

After a short interregum, a king was elected. 
You all loved the good king Numa Pompilius, 
and when I tell you that the Conscript Fathers 
and the citizens of Rome, elected the grandson 
of Numa to rule over them, in the person of 

(131) 



132 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

Ancus Marcius, I think you too will approve, 
and cry as did the Eomans : 

^^Long live King Ancus!'* 

The new king commenced a prosperous reign 
in a manner well calculated to insure that pros- 
perity. His first acts were to re-establish the 
laws of his grandfather Numa — laws which, un- 
der the stormy dominion of King Tullus Hos- 
tilius, had been, as we have already seen, too 
long neglected : and those duties due the gods, 
the solemn sacrifices, the setting aside particu- 
lar days of devotion — all these had fallen into 
disuse. It caused the new king great sorrow 
to see how little regard was paid to that re- 
ligion which Numa so strictly enjoined upon 
the citizens of Rome. He therefore commanded 
one of the pontiffs to transcribe upon tables of 
white stone, those laws and commentaries which 
Numa had written, and to place them where 
all persons might read them. This was done, 
and these valuable lessons were hung up all 
around the Forum. In this manner King An- 
cus hoped to establish once more that peaceful 



ANCUS MARGWS, FOURTH KING OF ROME. 133 

and happy state of society which had existed 
during the reign of that just king. 

The character of Ancus Marcius may be said 
to interlay that of the first two kings of Rome. 
He had not the fiery warlike nature of Romu- 
lus — nor had he in all points the pacific temper 
of Numa ; but enough of both natures happily 
blended, to make him a good and wise king. 

The turbulent spirit of Tullus Hostilius dur- 
ing his reign, had spread through the neighbor- 
ing cities and towns, and they grew restless. 
They watched cunningly the gradual progress 
and order which was being established in Rome 
by the grandson of Numa, whom they began 
to style " The Second Numa" ; and there were 
some who resolved to profit by the apparent 
neglect of warlike preparations. 

The Latins in particular, although bound by 
a treaty of peace under Tullus, now assumed 
great boldness, and dared even to invade the 
Roman territories, and plunder the fields of the 
peasants. 

When restitution of the wrong was demanded 

12 



134 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

of them, they merely returned a contemptuous 
answer : 

"Ah !" said they, shrugging their shoulders, 
and snapping their fingers, " we are safe ! This 
pious King Ancus prefers to spend his days in 
the temples of the gods, rather than meeting 
brave men at arms. Like his grandsire Numa, 
Ancus will swallow aloes, and give us cream !'* 
meaning, I suppose, that how^ever bitter might 
be the insult, the king of Kome would only re- 
turn a soft answer. 

They found themselves mistaken. 

Latium was situated upon the south side of 
the Tiber in the vicinity of Eome. It was said to 
be called Latium, because one of the gods came 
down from Olympus, and concealed himself 
there. Lateo means to lie hidden, and so they 
called it Latium. But we are told that it did 
not consist of one, but of many cities. How- 
ever, we cannot fiK the locations of these very 
old cities precisely, of which no stone is left 
standing, nor is it important for us to do so. 
We will content ourselves with the fact that 



ANCUS MARCIUS, FOURTH KING OF ROME. 135 

Latium existed six hundred and forty-two years 
before Christ, with which time we have now 
to do. 

Many years before Rome was built, when 
over the Palatine Hill spread the rude cane- 
huts of the shepherds, dwelling peacefully with 
their flocks and herds, there existed in various 
parts of Italy a very curious manner of declar- 
ing war. This custom Ancus Marcius revived. 

It may please you to understand it. It was 
in this way : 

When any city or town had violated the laws 
of any other city or town — had plundered — 
trespassed, or given any other just cause of 
offence, then an ambassador who was chosen 
usually from among the priests of the gods, 
with a fillet of wool bound around his brows, 
and wearing other insignia of his sacred office, 
was sent to the offending parties. Arrived at 
the confines of the city, the ambassador halted, 
raised his hands to heaven, and cried with a 
loud voice : 

" Hear, Jupiter ! Let Justice hear I Wit- 



136 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

ness, ye gods, that I am a public messenger. I 
come religiously instructed to demand restitu- 
tion of this people." Entering within the gates, 
he repeats the same declamation to the first 
man he meets, and again as he appears before 
the chief authorities. 

If restitution is at first denied, then the 
priest of the gods remains for thirty-three days 
within the city, that the people may have time 
for reflection. If at the end of that time they 
still refuse to yield up goods, or persons, then 
the ambassador departs, saying as he leaves, to 
the magistrates — then as he reaches the city 
gates, and again as he leaves its confines: 

^^ Hear, Jupiter — and thou, Juno, hear! 
and all ye celestial and terrestrial gods, and ye 
infernal gods, hear! This people are unjust. 
They deal not with equity." 

When the result of the embassy was made 
known, a council of the chief men was held, 
and if the majorit}^ were for war, then the 
priest was sent back bearing in his hand a jav- 
elin or arrow, pointed with steel, and dipped in 



ANCUS MARCIUS, FOURTH KING OF ROME. 137 

blood. As he drew near the frontiers of the 
enemy, with an invocation to the gods, he then 
hurled the javelin within its confines. 

Such was this singular custom. How does it 
please you ? 

Now you may know what King Ancus did 
when the people of Latium treated his messen- 
gers in so contemptuous a manner. He sent 
an ambassador to them, who in every particu- 
lar carried out the olden law : First, by pro- 
claiming his errand at the frontiers — the gates, 
and before the chief magistrates of the city. 
He had orders to abide there for thirty-three 
days, according to ancient usage, if the people 
proved obstinate. 

And they were obstinate and foolhardy. 

When the Roman ambassador left at the end 
of thirty-three days, the Latins still shrugged 
their shoulders, and, presuming upon the peace- 
ful blood of Numa in the veins of Ancus, were 
already beginning to plan new aggressions — 
when behold — one morning a javelin tipped 
with blood, was hurled within their boundaries ! 

12* 



138 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

Ah ! it was a grand sight to see, when the 
brave Roman army marched through the gates 
of Rome, and bore down upon Latium. It is 
hardly necessary to tell you that the Romans 
gained the day. The Latins found to their 
cost that King Ancus could not only pray to 
the gods of Olympus, but could defend the 
right, in a spirit worthy of either Romulus or 
the later King Tullus. 

They were conquered. Following the ex- 
ample of the former kings, Ancus conveyed the 
inhabitants of Latium to Rome. He treated 
them like a generous conqueror, and gave them 
the Mount Aventine, whereon they might found 
a new colony. 

This was but the commencement of wars. 
Other towns took up the battle axe and the 
sword. The particulars we will not trouble 
ourselves with — we have already had fighting 
enough. It will answer our purpose to say 
that no power was sufficient to conquer the Ro- 
man arms, and consequently the population 
and possessions of Rome mightily increased. 



ANGUS MARCIUS, FOURTH KING OF R03IE. 139 

The old King Numa Pompilius, as I have 
told jou, was buried on the Janiculum Hill, 
which at the time was without the limits of 
the city. It was situated upon the opposite 
shore of the river Tiber. Ancus Marcius, in 
reverence for the memory of his grandfather, 
now resolved to add the Janiculum to Rome. 
So he huilt the first hridge that ever spanned the 
Tiber at the City of the Seven Hills. It was 
constructed of wood, resting on piles. The 
foundations of this old Pons Sublicius, [Sub- 
lician Bridge], as it was called, are still to be 
seen, when crossing the Tiber a little higher up 
the stream. 

We shall have occasion to visit this ancient 
bridge on our travels by and by, for a very 
heroic deed was done here, and we will see 

" How well Horatius kept the bridge 
In the brave days of old.'' 

After building the bridge, Ancus surrounded 
the Janiculum with formidable walls, and 
erected a fortress thereon, that it might be pre- 



140 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

pared to repel any attack of hostile tribes. And 
thus Rome continued to increase, rapidly ad- 
vancing to fulfill the decree of Romulus, that 
she should be the '' Queen of Nations" — the 
^^City of the World!" 

Her territories now extended to the Mediter- 
ranean Sea, where King Ancus founded Ostia, 
a port, for centuries after, so important to the 
interests of Rome. Only sixteen miles distant, 
and with the swift-tided Tiber to bear from 
one to the other the rich returns which 
commerce yields with foreign nations. 

He also established extensive salt works at 
that point, which even now are a source of 
profit to the Roman government. 




CHAPTER II. 

A WORD for Ostia, my young friends, as we 
may not return here again. From its 
founding by King Ancus Marcius, it grew to be 
a large and powerful city, containing at one 
period, over eighty thousand inhabitants. The 
banks of the Tiber bloomed with beauty, and 
were crowned by the noble dwellings of the 
Romans, extending to the very gates of Rome, 
which, as I have already stated, was sixteen 
miles distant. Whether in peace or war, all 
was activity. 

Such teas Ostia. Shall I tell you what it is 
at the present day ? Grass-grown hillocks and 
waste plains cover the site of this once beauti- 
ful city ! little lizards run up and down, and in 
and out the mossy stones, and wild flowers and 

(HI) 



142 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

vines make a carpet for your feet as you walk 
over the homes of the dead. Down broken 
steps you descend into long passages uncovered 
from the soil beneath which they have lain 
undisturbed for over two tliousarid years ! Here 
you find ruined temples, old tombs, and old dwell- 
ings. Fallen columns of beautiful marble 
strew these dreary courts — on every side are the 
fragments of those splendid altars raised to the 
gods, and of statues to men, and the deities they- 
worshipped ! 

Where are now that busy multitude that 
bought and sold, and built themselves houses ? 
Scarce twenty people now linger around this 
ancient city, sleeping on the sides of the old 
tombs, or sharing with the ca^ttle the shelter ot 
a haystack. Fever, with its pestilential breath, 
breathes over all. A few pale women huddle 
together in the sun. The men gaze at you 
vacantly as you pass, and children half naked, 
without the grace of childhood, with no child- 
ish desire to play, sit in the sand, idle and list- 
less. The only signs of active life in old Ostia, 



ANGUS MAEGIUS, FOURTH KING OF ROME. 143 

are to be found in the gangs of galley-slaves 
employed in the present excavations, the clank 
of their chains, following their every step, like 
the voice of Justice speaking anew. 

In the early days of Christianity, and while 
yet the city of Ostia retained its importance, 
the good St. Augustine and his mother Monica 
set forth from their distant home to visit Rome. 
When they arrived at Ostia the poor Monica 
fell sick with a mortal illness; and when she 
was near death, seeing how much her son grieved 
that being so far away from home, she would 
be buried among strangers, she called him to 
her and said : 

" Bury me anywhere, my dear son, and do 
not grieve for me. But there is one thing I ask 
of you — it is this, that wherever you go, you 
will remember me at the altar of the Lord." 

We will now return to the king, Ancus Mar- 
cius, the first founder of this city, who having, 
as we have seen, put down all rebellion, con- 
tinued to improve Rome, by laying out new 



144 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS, 

streets, building fine dwellings, and promoting 
the influences of religion and order. 

In the mean time there came to live in Eome 
a rich man whose name was Lucermo, and hb 
wife was called Tanaquil. These two persons 
have much to do with the future of Rome, as 
you will soon see. 

The father of Lucermo had fled, an exile, 
from Corinth, a Grecian city, and settled in the 
land of the Tarquins. 

Tarquinia was an Etruscan town, at no great 
distance from Rome. And here he amassed a 
great fortune, and when he died, left all to his 
son Lucermo. This wealth Lucermo further in- 
creased by marrying Tanaquil, who was of a no- 
ble family, and also inherited great riches. 

But one cannot have everything. And so 
because the father of Lucermo had fled from 
Corinth, [and some people went so far as to say 
he had been a slave], the Tarquinians rather 
looked down upon this wealthy pair, and did 
not admit them into those circles of high life 
to which they both considered themselves as 



ANCUS MAR CI US, FOURTH KING OF ROME. 145 

rightly belonging. Especially did Tanaquil re- 
sent this injustice. Born and brought up in 
Tarquinia, she had inherited as much pride as 
wealth, and little could she endure such cool 
treatment from people whom in fact she con- 
sidered her inferiors in rank. 

"We will leave Tarquinia!" said she to her 
husband. 

He let fall a beautiful ornament he was ex- 
amining, and looked his wife in the face, as if 
astonished at her words. 

" Leave Tarquinia, my spouse ?" 

" Yes, my husband, leave Tarquinia ! I will 
no longer remain in a city to be thus insulted. 
We will go to Rome, Lucermo. I feel that 
the gods have some great good in store for us 
in that wonderful city." 

To say was to do. So they gathered their 
effects together, and turned their backs upon 
Tarquinia, and their faces toward Rome, Tar 
naquil was an ambitious little woman, and she 
thought to herself, "• wlio knows r 

13 K 



146 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

Now those two little words in Tanaquii's 
busy brain meant a great deal. 

Romulus was a foundling ; found under a 
fig tree, and suckled by a wolf, and yet had 
been — king of Rome ! Titus Tatius, a Sabine, 
had been — king of Rome ! Numa too, was a 
Sabine — and Tullus Hostilius, the son of a sol- 
dier — both had been kings of Rome ! 

" Ah ! wlio knows f thought Tanaquil. 

While thus indulging her high hopes, which, 
as you may guess, pointed to no less a mark 
than the crown, Tanaquil and her husband 
arrived at the Janiculum Hill. That they 
might enter Rome with all the state which they 
intended to assume as citizens, they rode side 
by side in a beautiful chariot drawn by four 
richly caparisoned horses, while they themselves 
were arrayed in a splendid manner. 

As they reached the summit of the Janicu- 
lum, looking down upon the beautiful city 
of Rome itself, and all the cities and towns for 
miles around, girdled in by mountains and 
hills ', an eagle, which had for some time been 



ANCUS MARC I US, FOURTH KING OF ROME. 147 

soaring aloft in the air, suddenly bent its course 
to earth, and swooping down, circled several 
times around the chariot, and gently lifting 
the cap from the head of Lucermo, flew 
round and round, and, as if obeying the orders 
of Jupiter himself, again deposited the cap up- 
on his head, and then with loud cries soaring 
aloft was soon out of sight, buried within the 
clouds of the Olympian heaven ! 

Tanaquil was nearly wild with joy at this 
auspicious omen ! She threw her arms around 
her husband ; 

"Yes," said she. ''1 told you the gods had 
good fortune in store for us ! Ah ! you may be 
certain, my husband, this bird of Jove was sent 
to warn us of high power in Kome." And 
then she thought to herself as she tossed her 
head proudly : 

" Who knows ? I may yet see my husband 
king of Rome !" 




CHAPTER III. 

A ERIYED in Rome, Lucermo purchased a 
noble dwelling, and furnished it with every 
luxury of the day. They had slaves and at- 
tendants of all grades — carriages and horses 
without number, and when all was ready, un- 
der the name of Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, 
they took possession of their princely dwelling. 
A man of brilliant talents, of polished man- 
ners, and of kind deeds, Tarquinius Priscus 
soon drew upon himself the favorable notice of 
the Roman people. He became popular. His 
society was courted by the wealthier classes, 
while at the same time the grace and accom- 
plishments of Tanaquil, rendered his house a 



most delightful resort. 



(KS) 



ANGUS MARCIUS, FOURTH KING OF ROME. 149 

This surely was a change from the cool man- 
ners of the Tarquinians ! 

By and by the king, Ancus Marcius, hears of 
this affable stranger who has come to dwell in 
Rome. Reports reach him of his many be- 
nevolent deeds — of his learning — his courteous 
manners, until at length, desirous himself of 
making the acquaintance of so general a favo- 
rite, the king invites him to the palace. 

And now was Tanaquil in the seventh heaven 
of delight — 

" Who hnoivs f thought she. 

The king found Tarquinius to be all and 
more than report had pronounced him. For 
once the voice of rumor spoke truly. The king 
was indeed charmed with him; and Tarquinius, 
urged on by his wife, failed not, day by day, to 
cultivate the friendship of Ancus, and by every 
possible means to ingratiate himself in his 
favor. 

Tarquinius was successful in this attempt. 
The ambition of Tanaquil gained strength. 
Ancus gave him a place in his confidence ; al- 
ls* 



150 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

lowed him to be present at all public and pri- 
vate councils, whether foreign or pertaining 
only to Rome — nay more — the king even asked 
counsel of him. 

And thus matters stood, when after a pros- 
perous and happy reign of twenty-four years, 
Ancus Marcius was called to give up his earthly 
kingdom. Beloved and lamented by all, this 
good king died. 

After his death it was found that Ancus had 
appointed Tarquinius Priscus the sole guardian 
to his tvfo sons — lads of ten and twelve years 
of age. 

Now, taking advantage of the confidence 
which the late king had shown him, by admit- 
ing him to his councils, and further emboldened 
by the solemn trust confided to him, Tarquinius 
proposed that no time should be lost in the 
election of a king. Delay might imperil the 
safety of the state. 

His proposition was accepted. 

That the sight of the sons of Ancus might 
not affect the choice of the people, Tarquinius 



ANCUS MARCIUS, FOURTH KING OF ROME. 151 

gent them off with a pleasant party of young 
huntsmen for a day's sport. 

When the Conscript Fathers and all were 
assembled, Tarquinius Priscus made a most 
subtle, brilliant speech, wherein he adroitly in- 
serted his high respect for the Roman people ; 
for their laws, and above all, for their religious 
rites, which he hoped ever to see continued 
with true piety as in the days of Numa, and 
of their late lamented King Ancus ! It was, 
he assured them, from the love and respect he 
felt for Rome, that he had forsaken his own 
country and come to place himself under its 
laws ; and it was in Rome he hoped to draw 
his last breath, when called by the gods. 

In short, so eloquently did he plead his own 
cause, while cunningly pretending to plead the 
necessity of electing a king for Rome, that even 
there upo7i the spot, with no dissenting voice, 
Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, of Tarquinia, was 
chosen king of the Seven Hills ! 

And Tanaquil ? Ah ! the Roman eagle had 
now let fall a crown upon her husband's head, 



152 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

and she was happy ! That is, if ambition ever 
finds its goal. 

Here ends the story of Ancus Marcius, the 
fourth king of Rome. 




TARQUINIUS PRISCUS, 



THE FIFTH KING OF ROME, 



CHAPTER I. 



"DERHAPS a more ambitious man never as- 
cended a throne than Tarquinius Priscus, 
the fifth king of Rome. We have followed 
him and his no less ambitious wife from Tar- 
quinia. We beheld the auspicious omen upon 
the Janiculum Hill, which marked his entrance 
into Rome — namely, the descent of the eagle 
of Jupiter. We have seen him daily increas- 
ing in favor with the Roman people — and surely 
no greater proof of esteem, as well as of the 
most perfect confidence, could be shown any 
man, than did the good king Ancus Marcius 
manifest, when he appointed him the guardian 
of his two little sons. A solemn trust which 
no parent would confide without careful con- 
sideration. 

(155) 



156 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

We have seen, too, in what manner Tarquin- 
ius stirred the heart of all Rome in his favor, 
by his eloquent and flattering address, plead- 
ing his own cause, while pleading for the good 
of the state, an address which crowned his 
highest hopes. Ambition could go no further. 
For now Tarquinius Priscus is king of Rome ! 
Tanaquil is queen ! 

And now, my young friends, as we have seen 
him mount the throne, we will watch his kingly 
career, and trace the future of the man desig- 
nated by the bird of Jove to rule the city of 
Romulus. 

The same ambitious views which led Tar- 
quinius Priscus to the throne, impelled him also 
to the exaltation of Rome above all other cities 
of the world. He saw how rapidly her popu- 
lation was increasing, and that the middle, or 
plebeian classes as they were called, might in 
time become dangerous, unless some measures 
could be adopted to unite them with the higher 
orders of Rome. 

So he elected one hundred more citizens to 



TARQUINIUS P RISC US, FIFTH KING OF R03IE. 157 

the number of Conscript Fathers, and those he 
selected from among the less powerful families; 
thereby strengthening his hold upon the 
hearts of the people. It was a new thing 
for this class to be placed thus on an equal foot- 
ing with those proud patricians in the counsels 
of the state, and they adored their king for his 
justice. 

He further undertook to raise a number of 
plebeian families to patrician rank. But this 
attempt was met with great indignation by the 
nobles. They treated the measure with scorn, 
and even dared to remonstrate with the king. 
Tarquinius, however, would probably have 
carried his point, as he was a man not easily 
set aside from any project he had undertaken, 
had it not been for a famous soothsayer who 
lived in those days. 

His name was Attus. 

A soothsayer, was a person such as we now 

call a fortune-teller. One who pretends to look 

back into the past, and to the future. Their 

influence is very small in our day, yet when 
14 



158 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

the gods upon Mount Olympus ruled, those 
soothsayers were looked upon as interpreting 
the will of the celestial deities. 

You recollect that Romulus had great faith 
in all omens and auguries. You recollect that 
the site of the city he would build, was settled 
by the flight of vultures ; and again that Numa, 
even that wise king, refused to accept the king- 
dom until sure that the gods were propitious. 

This Attus the soothsayer, therefore, came 
boldly before the king, and demanded that as in 
the days of Romulus, so now this intended pro- 
ject of Tarquinius, so important to Rome, 
should be decided by augury. At this the king 
was greatly offended. Although concealing his 
anger, he only pretended to ridicule the idea 
of trusting to the chance flight of birds, either 
north or south, east or west, soaring aloft or 
skimming the earth, the events of a kingdom ! 
Tarquinius was a man of wisdom. 

Said he with a laugh : 

" Come, thou great soothsayer, who art so 
well skilled in omens, let us test thy power. 



TARQUINIUS P RISC US, FIFTH KING OF ROME. 159 

If thou canst read the movements of birds, 
thou canst surely read the motives of man ! 
Pray tell me, then, Attus, can what is now pass- 
ing in my mind be done ?" 

"0 king, the thoughts of man are very 
deep — who can penetrate them ?" replied Attus. 
"As the wind fanning our brows, which we see 
not but only feel, so are the thoughts, until 
they act for good or for evil. Nevertheless, 
King Tarquinius, I tell thee that what thou 
hast in thy mind, can he doner 

The king, first looking around with a meaning 
smile upon his courtiers — as courtiers, you know, 
there will always be, where there is power- 
turned to the soothsayer and said : 

" Well, most wise Attus, it is but a small 
thing. I was only thinking whether you could 
cut in two pieces a whetstone with a razor — 
nothing more ! take it, and let us see what the 
birds can do." 

So saying, he ordered a whetstone and a razor 
to be handed Attus — and lo ! with one stroke 
the stone fell in two pieces upon the ground ! 



160 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

At this miracle, astonishment filled the mind 
of the king, and the minds of all who saw it. 
Here indeed was a wonderful thing. Yes, At- 
tus must be in favor with the gods ! 

Tarquinius had the wisdom to concede the 
power of him whom he would have exposed, 
and therefore allowed his project of elevating 
the plebeins to pass unperformed. Indeed, so 
impressed was the king by this act on the part 
of Attus, that he caused his statue to be placed 
on the steps of the Senate House, and the 
whetstone, with the razor, to be deposited un- 
derneath them. 

This miraculous cleaving of the whetstone, 
brought new honors to the class of sooth- 
sayers ; and their decisions, whether called 
forth by the flight of birds, or other signs, 
had more weight than the will of the king, and 
even the most important projects were often 
put off, or entirely given up, provided the birds, 
those winged heralds of the gods, flew the 
wrong way. 

This makes you smile. But we must not 



TAEQUINIUS PRISCUS, FIFTH KING OF ROME. 161 

forget that we are travelling away back in the 
ages — not dealing with people of the nineteenth 
century ; who after all do things quite as ab- 
surd. But this is hetweeri you and me r 




14* 




CHAPTER 11. 

^ ARQUINIUS continued to display the same 
brilliant talents as before he was king, and 
won both the love and confidence of his sub- 
jects. He studied for the good of this great 
empire, nor did he insure it by peace alone — 
for several mighty battles were fought during 
his reign, the results of which only served to 
increase his own power, and the strength of 
Rome. 

Two wars with the Sabines. One with the 
Latins. 

In the first conflict, the Sabines were the 
attacking party. With so much care and cau- 
tion did they plan, that their army had crossed 
the river Anio, ere the Romans were aware of 
any hostile attempt. 

(162) 



TARQUINIUS PR ISC US, FIFTH KING OF ROME. 163 

Then there was a call to arms — a hurrying 
to and fro ! The clank of armor echoed from 
street to street. Each soldier donned his good 
sword or battle-axe — each cavalry officer mount- 
ed his noble war-horse. And led on by the 
king, the gallant Roman army moved to meet 
the foe. Both sides fought with bravery — yet we 
are so accustomed to the success of the Roman 
arms, that it would indeed seem strange to 
have them defeated. 

They were not, but came off as usual, con- 
quering and to conquer. 

The second battle with the Sabines was won 
by a clever piece of strategy. While both 
armies were engaged in the fray, the enemy 
having again crossed into the Roman territory, 
Tarquinius caused floats of timber to be set on 
fire and sent down the rapid flow of the river — 
these following each other in quick succession, 
lodged about the piers of the bridge, built by 
the Sabines, at the junction of the Tiber and 
the Anio rivers. Fanned by the wind, and 
their own swift descent, the blazing timbers 



164 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

caught the piers, which were soon burned 
through and fell asunder. 

You can imagine the dismay of the Sabines 
at this disastrous event — the bridge gone ! 

A little matter turns the scale. And so at 
this sight, the Sabine troops broke rank in dis- 
order. In vain their leaders called upon them 
to come back — in vain the leaders fought with 
desperation themselves ! The day was lost. 
The soldiers, utterly demoralized, threw away 
their arms. Some plunged into the river, and 
fled to the hills. Others dashed over the plain, 
but, pursued by the Eoman cavalry, they were 
forced back, and met either death or bondage. 

Nor was Tarquinius content to let the matter 
rest here. Once provoked to war, he now re- 
solved to conquer the whole Sabine people ; nor 
leave them a chance for again daring the power 
of Rome. The unfortunate prisoners he sent back 
to Rome. The spoils he had won, he caused 
to be heaped in the centre of the battle-field, 
and burned them there, as an offering to the god 
Vulcan, who had forged the Roman arms so 



TARQUmiUS PEISCUS, FIFTH KING OF R03IE. 165 

strong, that no others could meet them and 
prevail. 

He then crossed over into the Sabine terri- 
tories. When aware that the invincible Ro- 
mans were approaching, the undaunted Sabines, 
bravely collected a small force, and went out 
to meet them. It was of no use. They were 
defeated. They threw down their arms and 
sued for peace. Peace was granted. Their 
chief city, CoUatia, he placed under the com- 
mand of his nephew, who now assumed the 
name of CoUatinus. We must remember this 
fact. 

Then Tarquinius returned victorious to Rome, 
the whole city pouring forth to meet him, 
swelling the grand procession up to the temple 
of Jupiter, where a victorious general first of- 
fered his thanks. 

Nothing could exceed the splendor with which 
the king made this triumphal entry. Robed 
in a toga and tunic of royal purple, richly em- 
broidered with golden palms and flowers of 
brilliant hue — ^with a crown of gold upon his 



166 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

head, and a sceptre surmounted by the eagle 
of Jove in his hand — riding in a gilded chariot 
drawn by four noble horses, and attended by 
twelve lictors bearing the axes and the rods, — 
thus did Tarquinius Priscus assert to the Ko- 
man people his triumph over their enemies, who, 
in long procession, captive and in chains, fol- 
lowed in the train of the conqueror ! 

Flushed with success, the king next attacked 
the Latins, who by this time were again becom- 
ing somewhat powerful ; their subjugation by 
Ancus Marcius was now a yoke to be shaken 
off. But the Roman king soon subdued them, 
and made their cities and towns his own. And 
we may now compare Tarquinius Priscus with 
the Emperor Alexander the Great, who wept 
that he had no more worlds to conquer ! 

Peace again secured, the king looked to the 
welfare of the people and of Rome. Pie saw 
the people must have employment — but in 
what way ? 

In the beautiful valley between the Palatine 
and the Aventine Hills, then called the Vallis 



TARQUINIUS PRISCUS, FIFTH KING OF ROME. 1G7 

Mnrcia, Tarquinius now marked out the limits 
of the great Circus Maximus, to be used as a 
race-course, or, for popular games to please the 
public. And here, let me say, this Valley 
Murcia, included the same ground where 
Romulus celebrated the festival to Neptune, 
when the Sabine maidens were borne off by 
the youths of Rome. 

This great project gave employment and sup- 
port to hundreds of freedmen and slaves. The 
Circus Maximus covered an area of 2187 feet in 
length, and in breadth 960. There were 2500 
seats, and the whole space was capable of ac- 
commodating 150,000 persons. There was a 
circus for you ! 

Here the king celebrated in the most costly 
manner the " Great Games," as they were called. 

The limits of the ' Forum Romanum,' or Ro- 
man Forum, had been appropriated by the 
former kings ; stretching from the foot of the 
Capitoline Hill to the slope of the Yelia. To 
secure these limits Tarquinius erected upon the 
southern side, shops and dwellings — while at 



168 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

the upper end of the Forum and under the Ca- 
pitoline, he built a splendid temple, called the 
'' Temple of Saturn." At the present day, 
eight of the beautiful columns belonging to that 
temple stand upon its site. They were exca- 
vated during the present century. 

I will make a little extract from a valuable 
work by Emil Braun, secretary of the Archse- 
logical Institute of Rome, which will give you 
a better idea of this temple which Tarquinius 
Priscus erected. He says: 

" It was on the steps of this temple that the 
victorious generals on their return from a cam- 
paign were obliged to take a solemn oath that 
they had given a true and exact account of the 
number of captives, and the value of the spoils. 
At this spot where the Sacra Yia led up to the 
Capitoline, the victor, according to an ancient 
custom, stopped his triumphal chariot and 
gave orders that the captives confined in the 
prison opposite should be strangled !" 

Tarquinius also commenced building a mag- 
nificent temple to Jupiter, and to surround the 



TARQUINIUS PRISCUS, FIFTH KING OF ROME. 169 

city by a new and formidable wall. These, how- 
ever, I may as well tell you, he did not finish, 
but left that duty to his successors. 

But there still exists one of the most stupen- 
dous works of this king's reign, a work which 
has called forth the admiration and wonder of 
centuries, and which for ages yet to come, will 
carry down the name of Tarquinius Prisons, 
king of Rome. 

This was the construction of a sewer, or 
drain, running from the Palatine through the 
Valabrum, and emptying into the Tiber. Little 
pools of water collecting in the marshy soil west 
of the Palatine Hill, it was feared might ren- 
der the place unhealthy. It was called the 
Valabrum, and it was to carry off this water, 
as also the refuse from the Palatine, that Tar- 
quinius conceived the idea of an underground 
channel. This is called the Cloaca Maxima ; 
and to this day answers the purpose for which 
it was intended. 

I wish you to understand that with Rome 

15 



170 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

originated the custom of cleaning cities by meana 
of underground sewers. 

It was 606 years before Christ, that Tarquin- 
ius built this Cloaca Maxima, and those massive 
stones are still as solid as when first put in 
place, nearly twenty-five hundred years since ! 

Ah ! when the old Romans built, they seemed 
to build for eternity ! 

The blocks of tufa, or peperino, of volcanic 
formation, of which the cloaca is constructed, 
are of immense size, and put together wdthout 
cement. We are told by ancient writers that 
a cart laden with hay could pass easily through 
this huge channel. It could not be done now, 
owing to the rise in the level of the Tiber. I 
have seen this old sewer, and the scene around 
is about as wild as you can imagine. The 
guide, lighting a torch, placed it upon a long 
pole as flexible as a fishing-rod, and led me 
through a dark passage, and over a slimy, slip- 
pery path, until we reached the spot, where, 
bending the light downwards, he showed me 
the dark waters under that strong arch, and 



TARQUINIUS PRISCUS, FIFTH KING OF ROME. 171 

then the old pipes, which, in the days of the 
Caesars, led from their imperial palaces on the 
Palatine Hill. Here we see the ruins of Rome's 
magnificence ! All around are broken arches, 
crumbling walls, and jutting slabs of stone, 
covered with moss and lickens, tall ferns and 
the pretty maidenhair; while the wild fig 
trees rooted in the ruins, swing out their green 
branches, and dip them in the swift flow of the 
Cloaca Maxima. There is a lovely little stream 
w^iich is called in English the Silver Water — 
in Italian, " Acqua Argentina,''^ which comes 
dancing down from the rocks, and falls into the 
refuse of the Valabrum. Directly upon the 
edge of the cloaca, w|iere the little stream from 
the rock cuts through the vines and wild flowers, 
was perched a lemonade stand. It looked 
strange to see it in that dark cavernous place. 
I would as Boon have expected to meet the 
old Eoman king! A smiling Italian peasant 
girl, with a pretty red bodice and blue skirt, 
and a fold of white linen over her coal-black 
hair, stood by the side of the little table, and 



172 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

holding a goblet to the bright lip of the foun- 
tain as it bubbled from the rocks, she said: 

" Ah ! the Sign or a will drink of the cool 
spring, and give poor me a hiocca?" [a small 
coin] . 

But we have now something quite as inter- 
esting awaiting us in the palace of Tarquinius, 
as the surroundings of the Cloaca Maxima, 
where we have been detained so long. We will 
leave it with the pretty peasant still standing 
by the Silver Water, and proceed thither. 




CHAPTER III. 

AVTITH the captives brought by the Roman 
king from Corniculum, one of the con- 
quered Latin provinces, was Ocresia, the widow 
of Servius Tullius, a man of rank and bravery, 
who lost his life in the noble defelice of his 
country. Ocresia, although now a slave, was 
received with great favor by Tanaquil, whom 
you remember as the wife of Tarquinius Pris- 
cus. In fact, it was not long ere a very great 
intimacy was formed between them, so much 
so, that -the wddow was treated with the greatest 
kindness, and lived more as an equal thau as 
a slave under the roof of her captor. 

Ocresia was the mother of one little son, and 

the kindness of Tanaquil extended also to him. 
15* (173) 



174 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

One day a most wonderful thing occurred in 
the palace. 

The little boy was put to sleep upon a silken 
couch, and a slave left to fan him, and v/atch 
his slumbers. 

Suddenly a flame of pale fire surrounded the 
head of the sleeping child. The attendant 
screamed with terror. What should she do — 
the poor child would be burned to death ! Her 
alarm extended to others, some running for 
water, some wringing their hands and calling 
upon the gods to save the pretty boy. 

Tanaquil, hearing this strange confusion, sent 
to inquire the cause : but when they told her 
that the little Servius Tullius was nearly en- 
veloped in flames, she forbade them either to 
extinguish the fire, or to awaken the boy who 
still peacefully slept. 

And when a little after, the child awoke 
happy and smiling, the strange flame disap- 
peared ! 

Tanaquil was as wise a woman now as queen. 



TAEQUINIUS PRISGUS, FIFTH KING OF ROME. 175 

as when only the wife of a Roman citizen. She 
took her husband aside : 

" Husband," said she, "we must educate that 
boy for a high position!" 

'' Why so, my queen?" replied Tarquinius. 

" Do you not perceive," continued Tanaquil, 
" that the gods favor this little son of the cap- 
tive Ocresia? Yes, they have this day made 
known his destiny. Hast thou forgotten, Tar- 
quinius, that an eagle, sent by Jupiter, brought 
thee thy crown — and canst thou not divine the 
Tneaning of those flames which have this day 
played about the head of the little Servius Tul- 
lius ? Believe the gods — this child will be a 
light to Rome! the lustre of his reign shall 
outshine all others !" 

" But, Tanaquil, you forget we have sons of 
our own," interrupted the king. " Would you 
have a stranger sit upon the throne ?" 

^'True, Tarquinius. But if the gods will 
that Servius Tullius shall be greater than the 
sons of Tarquinius Priscus, they must be obeyed. 
We must train this youth well — even as a son, 



176 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

since he is higher than our sons. The gods 
have given him into our care, let us look well 
that we obey the trust." 

And from that day the little son of the cap- 
tive widow was reared by the king and queen 
as their own. 

Servius proved worthy this distinction. He 
grew up to be a brave youth. His character 
was noble. His talents of a high order. His 
disposition generous and affectionate. And, 
indeed, so strong an attachment did King Tar- 
quinius feel for him, that when Servius reached 
the age of manhood, he gave him his own 
daughter in marriage. 

You remember, I think, the two sons of King 
Ancus Marcius, who were left under the guar- 
dianship of Tarquinius. The king had in all 
things endeavored to do his duty by these young 
men, and had deprived them of no privilege due 
their high birth — save only the kingdom I 

As these sons of Ancus grew up to manhood, 
they felt keenly the usurpation of the crown, 
belonging, as they believed, by right of inher- 



TARQUINIUS P RISC US, FIFTH KING OF ROJIK 177 

itance to them. They watched sullenly the 
prosperity of the king, and saw with growing 
jealousy how much he was beloved by the Ro- 
man people. In short, they hated him. 

They had not the courage to rebel, but 
silently brooded over their wrongs — the worst 
thing men can do — and generally leads to mis- 
chief. 

But when by this new act of Tarquinius — 
namely, the marriage of his daughter with Ser- 
vius Tullius, they saw the crown apparently re- 
moved still further from their reach — then they 
put shape to their brooding thoughts. The 
time had come for action ; but oh ! how das- 
tardly, how cowardly did they move ! 

Not against Servius Tullius were their plots 
formed, — for Servius dead, another son-in-law 
could be found, and the throne be as far from 
them as now ! No, the sons of Ancus Marcius 
aimed at the life of the king! 

Cunningly they set to work. They found 
two shepherds, who, notwithstanding their 
peaceful profession, were cruel and ferocious 



178 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS, 

men ; men who for the sake of gain, were will- 
ing to enter into any wicked deed — to whom, 
the shedding of innocent blood was nothing, 
if with the life-drops, came also gold to their 
murderous hands. 

The plan was formed. It was this : 
Upon a certain day these shepherds were in- 
structed to go to the palace, and while care- 
lessly lounging about the court, to fall into some 
slight dispute, and then gradually to enter into 
an altercation so noisy it could not fail to at- 
tract the notice of the chief officers, if not of the 
king himself. In the height of their dispute, 
one of them was to dare the other to refer the 
matter to Tarquinius Priscus, who was always 
ready to hear the complaints of his most lowly 
subjects 

All this happened exactly as they wished. 
The order of the court was suddenly disturbed 
by the rude wrangling and blasphemous oaths 
of the two men, who, in simple peasant garb, 
had been loitering around, apparently dazzled 
by the splendid men-at-arms, or leaning against 



TARQUINIUS PRISGUS, FIFTH KING OF ROME. 179 

a column, watching with open mouth and star- 
ing eyes the groups of noble patricians as they 
passed on up to the gates of the palace. 

Before they could appeal to the king, as was 
the concerted plan, the king heard the con- 
fusion and ordered the men to be brought be- 
fore him. 

Alas for the doomed king ! 

And they came, scarcely restraining, as it 
were, their assumed passion even in the royal 
presence. In the manner agreed upon, one of 
the shepherds advances nearer to the side of 
the king than was customary, and begins to 
tell his story in the most vehement manner. 
Tarquinius, becoming interested in the well- 
forged tale, turns himself entirely around to the 
speaker, and in that moment the other shep- 
herd, with the quickness of lightning, lifts an 
axe concealed beneath his sheepskin robe, 
strikes the unfortunate king in the head, and, 
leaving the weapon in the wound, both men, 
flourishing their daggers, sprang through the 
guards, and attempted to escape from the dread- 



180 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

ful scene. They were seized, however, and 
secured. 

All was now confusion, dismay, and horror 
at the atrocious deed ! 

But the mind of Tanaquil the queen was equal' 
to the occasion. She instantly ordered the pal- 
ace gates to be closed, and requested all persons 
present to retire, in order that she might take 
measures to revive the king, and see that his 
wounds were properly dressed. She was obeyed . 
Then sending for Servius Tullius, she took his 
hand, and, in the presence of her poor dying 
husband, she said : 

"Now, Servius, if you are the man I think 
you, the kingdom is yours ! It shall not be 
given to those who have done this bloody deed — 
for, see you not that it is to the sons of Ancus 
Marcius we owe this great grief? It is the sons 
of Ancus who have slain your father, and my 
husband! Be a man. Let that celestial fire 
which shone around your head in infancy, in- 
spire and guide you now. Follow vciy advice, 
Servius. Be calm ; be resolute ; and, as the 



TARQUINIUS PBISCUS, FIFTH KING OF ROME. 181 

gods have ordained, you shall be king of 
Rome!" 

Tanaquil then went to a window of the pal- 
ace which faced the temple of Jupiter Stator, 
(for the palace of Tarquinius stood upon the 
Palatine Hill, close by the Porta Mugeonis), 
around which dense crowds were gathered in 
consequence of this sad event ; and in a most 
touching and plausible manner, assured them 
their good king was only stunned by the blow; 
that, the blood being washed away, it was found 
that happily the weapon had not penetrated as 
deep as the assassin intended, — the wound itself 
was trifling : 

" Take courage, my excellent friends, faith- 
ful Romans," she continued. "You will soon 
see your beloved king again. The shock to his 
system is great, and from loss of blood he feels 
weak, and may not, therefore, for a few days 
come among you. His loving commands are, 
that in the meanwhile you will defer all state 
matters and all matters of a private nature to 

his son-in-law Servius Tullius, whom he will 
16 



182 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

empower to administer justice, and to do in all 
things oven as the king would do himself." 

This speech was received most favorably — 
none doubting its truth. 

Servius Tullius then came forth in robes of 
state, attended by lictors, and took his seat upon 
the throne. 

A few cases were brought before him to 
decide, which he did with great wisdom. If 
any matter of grave import was given to his 
judgment, then Servius pretended to consult 
the king. In this way several days passed on, 
and then it was announced to the people and 
Senate of Kome, that their king Tarquinius 
Priscus was dead. 

They mourned deeply, for Tarquinius had 
been a good king and father to his subjects. 

And to whom could the rule of Rome be 
more safely intrusted than to one w^ho had 
already proved himself so well able to govern? 
and to whom their lamented king had intrusted 
so much ? 

Therefore — even without consulting the peo- 



TARQUINIUS PRISCUS, FIFTH KING OF R03IE, 183 

pie, who, however, were all unanimous in his 
favor — the Senate elected Servius Tullius to sit 
upon the throne. This was B. C. 580. 

The sons of Ancus Marcius were exiled. 
Tanaquil did not long survive her husband, and 
died happy in the thought, that in obeying the 
celestial mandates of the gods, she had given 
to the people so good a man as Servius Tullius 
to be the sixth king of Rome. 

Here ends the story of Tarquinius Priscus^ 
the fifth king of Rome. 




SERVIUS TULLIUS, 

TME SIXTH KING OF BOMB. 



CHAPTER I. 

T ET us keep our dates correct. I promised 
we would make our journey very easily, 
at the same time we must remember the ground 
we have travelled over, for "who hiowsf as 
Tanaquil said, but we may one day take the 
journey again. Suppose then, like travellers 
at an inn, after having rested, and partaken of 
a good supper, we draw around the table and 
compare notes. Are you agreed ? 

Yes ! well, then, we will commence at once. 

Now, my dear young friends, when we saw 

Romulus mark out the limits of the city he 

would build, and turning the fresh furrow 

whereby to erect the walls of Rome; how many 

years to the birth of Christ? Do you recollect? 

^' Seven hundred and fifty-three." 

(187) 



188 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

When the good Numa Pompilius came from 
Dures, and, accepted by the gods, ascended the 
throne of Rome? 

" Seven hundred and fourteen." 

When we met the warlike Tullus Hostilius, 
and heard the thunderbolt which hurled him 
down ? 

'^ Six hundred and seventy-four." 

Then when the greatly beloved King Ancus 
Marcius brought once more peace and order to 
Rome ? 

" Six hundred and forty-two." 

When the eagle of Jupiter made known the 
will of the gods that Tarquinius Priscus should 
rule the Romans ? 

'^ Six hundred and eighteen." 

And now with Servius Tullius upon the 
throne, how many ? 

" Five hundred and eighty." 

Upon my word we have done well. Why, 
you look as fresh as when we first commenced 
our pilgrimage; and now we have only five 
hundred and eighty more years to travel down 



SERVIUS TULLIUS, SIXTH KING OF ROME. 189 

ere we come to the plains of Bethlehem — or so 
near that we may see the dark clouds beginning 
to roll off, and the day-spring of glory already 
dawning. 

We are entering now upon a road, which 
although very peaceful and pleasant at first, 
soon becomes tangled and matted over with 
weeds of envy ; we shall hear the hissing of 
serpents as they glide in and out this unwhole- 
some herbage, and finally, it will lead us to the 
Forum of Rome, with the blood-stains of a good 
king upon the steps of its Senate chamber ! 

Like signal-lights in a man's life, good deeds 
shone in the life and actions of Servius Tullius. 
One war only disturbed his reign. It was with 
Veil. You have not forgotten that King Rom- 
ulus made a truce with Yeii for one hundred 
years, and that time having long since expired, 
the Yeientines, remembering their defeat of old, 
struck out for conquest. In vain. The good 
fortune of Rome still prevailed, and Servius 
returning from the field of battle, entwined 
himself with the laurels of victory, still closer to 



190 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

the hearts of his countrymen. And peace re- 
stored, the king, like Numa Pompilius, strove 
only for the good of his subjects and the pros- 
perity of Kome. 

It would be a long and a tedious work for us, 
perhaps, to look over all the new laws and regu- 
lations which Servius Tullius instituted and 
adopted. Indeed, it may with truth be said, 
that he formed an entire new constitution for 
the state, whereby all citizens, both patricians 
and plebeians, might unite on equal terms, and 
he gave to property-holders the same power in 
the government which had previously belonged 
to persons of high birth only. You recollect 
that Tarquinius Prisons once attempted the 
same thing, but was overruled by the dissent- 
ing voice of the patricians, and of Attus the 
soothsayer. 

Servius was the first king to take a census of 
the population of Rome — of the business occu- 
pation, and property of its inhabitants. Having 
done this, he found that Rome contained eighty 
thousand persons exclusive of slaves, who 



• SERVIUS TULLIUS, SIXTH KING OF ROME. 191 

were able to serve the state. And these he di- 
vided and classified. Without going into any 
very particular details, it may instruct us to 
know, in a general way, in what manner the 
division was made. 

In the first place, he formed from the people 
eighty centuries — now, centuries in this sense, 
represents a squadron of one hundred cavalry, 
or one hundred infantry — that is, horse and 
foot. Forty of these centuries, or companies, 
he called the ''Seniors,'' whose duty it was to 
guard the city. The other forty were called 
" Juniors" They were intended to do the fight- 
ing abroad. 

These men were armed, as they say, cap-a-pie, 
in coats of mail, with helmets and shields, and 
huge boots called "greaves" — all of which were 
made of brass. Each man carried a spear and 
a sword. What a dazzling sight in the sun- 
shine ! And then to have seen those squadrons 
drawn up in battle array, " ten file deep," as the 
historian Niebuhr affirms, with their brass hel- 
mets, their glittering mail, and every man's 



192 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

shield lapping the shield of the soldier at his 
side — thus forming a brazen breastwork against 
the enemy ! 

Many other companies were also enrolled-— 
each having its particular duty. Some were 
armed with long javelins — others carried slings, 
dexterously hurling either leaden bullets or 
stones. 

In forming his armies, Servius wisely con- 
sidered that there were three things necessary 
to make a good soldier. What were they ? you 
ask. 

First, that every soldier might be able to 
supply his own armor ; for, as we have seen, the 
equipments of the "seniors" and "juniors" 
were very expensive. 

Second, that every soldier should be so situ- 
ated, as to enable him to give all of his time to 
the service, and that his means would allow 
him to do so without the perplexity of finding 
support for his family. 

And thirdly, that no expectation of jpay 
should send a soldier into the ranks. . The only 



SERVIUS TULLIUS, SIXTH KING OF R031E. 193 

stimulus should be a pure love of country. A 
blow struck for Eonie — for country and for 
home ! not for money or other reward ! Such 
were the three rules of Servius Tullius, and 
which, carried out, made the Roman army the 
first in war. 

The laws which Servius framed were so ex- 
cellent, that he has been called "The Law 
Giver." 

Before taking the census of peoples and pro- 
perty, in order that no man should absent 
himself, or underrate his possessions, Servius 
issued a proclamation entailing imprisonment 
or death upon any such delinquent. The con- 
sequence was, he had full returns. 

The census taken and the companies enrolled, 
he ordered that all thus classified should assem- 
ble in that wide plain between the hills and the 
river Tiber, called the " Campus Martins" — or 
Field of Mars — at the dawn of day, and there to 
offer a solemn sacrifice to the gods. This was 
done. 

And now Servius began to build his great 

17 N 



194 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

wall, which is to this day called " The Wall of 
Servius Tullius." Within it, he enclosed the 
Quirinale and Yiminale Hills, and enlarged the 
boundaries of the Esquiline. Of this Servian 
wall I will say a word. There are portions of 
it still remaining here and there about the 
modern city. I have seen them, and own I 
reverence them. A few years since, between 
the Viminale and Quirinale, quite a length of 
the old wall was standing— but now, the rail- 
road has swept nearly every stone away ! Pick- 
axe and crowbar, shovel and spade, are even 
now delving deep and upheaving the great 
blocks of travertine stone of which the wall was 
built, and tossing them upon the roadside, where 
I am sure if stones could speak, and the great 
Shakspeare boldly declares there are " sermons 
in stones" — then would they preach eloquently 
against that power which has thus disturbed 
their sleep of ages ! The wall of Servius was 
50 feet broad, and upon the outside ran a ditch 
which was 100 feet wide, and 30 feet deep! 
The king built for himself a palace upon the 



SEE VIUS TULLIUS, SIXTH KING OF ROME. 195 

Esquiline, which was a part of the city little fa- 
vored by the nobles of Kome, in order to ren- 
der it more respectable. 

The next thing Servius contemplated, was 
to ornament the city with beautiful temples in 
honor of the gods. 

There was at Ephesus, in those days, a cele- 
brated temple built to Diana — a goddess whom 
all the people greatly worshipped. Now, to be 
certain that we are right, let us turn to the 19tli 
chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, where, in 
parts of the 24 th, 26th, and 28th verses we 
shall read : 

" For a certain man named Demetrius, a 
silversmith, which made silver shrines for Di- 
ana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen, 
whom he called together and said : ' Sirs, this 
Paul hath persuaded and turned away much 
people, saying that they be no gods which be 
made with hands !' 

'' And when they heard it they were full of 
wrath, and cried out, saying : * Great is Diana 
of the Eptiesians f " 



196 TEE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN MILLS. 

We may therefore conclude this same temple 
which stood in Ephesus in the time of the sixth 
king of Rome, was the same which enshrined 
the bright goddess Diana in the days of the 
Apostles, so many centuries later. 

Servius, in emulation of the Ephesians, erected 
a temple to Diana upon the Aventine Hill- 
that all who saw it might exclaim : " Great is 
Diana of the Romans /" 

One object which Servius had in view in 
building this temple, was, that it might serve as 
a place of meeting for the people of those La- 
tin cities which had been subjugated by Rome, 
and he therefore proposed to them to unite with 
him in the act, that in this manner their friend- 
ship might be the more strongly secured. 

This proposal was accepted by the Latins. 
And as the temple was to be built in Rome, 
why it was a tacit acknowledgment, as it were, 
of her supremacy. After the temple was built 
the following incident occurred. 

A certain Sabine owned a beautiful young 
heifer — so sleek, of a soft dove-color — with 



SERVIUS TULLIUS, SIXTH KING OF ROME. 197 

large mild eyes, and horns of such an amazing 
size as were the wonder and admiration of all 
who saw her. 

It chanced that a great soothsayer beheld 
this fine animal, and immediately predicted 
that in whatever city the man should be who 
sacrificed this young heifer to the goddess Di- 
ana, that city should rise above all other cities! 
The Sabine was cunning — and thinking to in- 
sure the power of his own people, he drove the 
pretty creature to Kome, and to the Aventine, 
intending to ofier the sacrifice himself. But 
the priest of the temple was as cunning as the 
Sabine, and moreover his ears had already 
heard the prediction of the soothsayer. So 
when he saw this beautiful heifer with her su- 
perb horns, he knew it could be no other than 
the one in question, and at once divined the 
motive of the Sabine in driving her thither. 
Said he to the unsuspecting man : 

'^What do I behold? Is it possible that 

thou dost intend to offer a sacrifice to Diana, 

the goddess of Purity, with impure hands ? 
17* 



198 THE SEVEN KINGS OF TEE SEVEN HILLS. 

Look there — seest thou not the Tiber flowing 
through the valley ? Hasten thither and wash 
thy hands, that thou mayest with more pro- 
priety approach the sacred altar." 

The Sabine, fearful of committing a sin against 
Diana, went down from the temple to the Ti- 
ber. You can imagine the rest ; for when the 
duped man came back, the poor heifer was al- 
ready sacrificed, and her horns hanging in the 
porch of the temple, where it is said they re- 
mained for many ages. 

So Kome again got the better of the Sabines. 

Another memorial of Servius Tullus remains 
in Rome — viz: the horrible Mamertine Prison. 
It was commenced by Ancus Marcius. Servius 
completed and enlarged it by adding a subter- 
ranean dungeon, which was called from him 
Tullianum. In this dungeon the Apostles, 
Peter and Paul, were confined, and from this 
loathsome spot were they led forth to meet their 
martyrdom — Saint Peter to the Janiculum Hill, 
and Saint Paul to a place without the walls of 
the city, now called " St. Paul of the Three 
Fountains." 



CHAPTER 11. 

« Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown!" 

Shakspeare. 

ri^HUS far we have only followed the public 
life of Servius Tullius, proving his deeds 
to be deeds of peace, not of wars. 

We will now trace his domestic history — a 
history which will show us that a monarch, 
however beloved, does not find a wreath of 
roses with his crown, nor a heart free from 
sorrow under khigly robes. 

Servius was the father of two daughters. 
Both were named TuUia. But if their names 
were the same, their characters certainly were 

not they were as widely different as you can 

imagine. You remember that Tarquinius Pris- 

(199) 



200 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

cus left two sons whose right to the throne of 
their father, Tanaquil, in obedience to the will 
of the gods had given to Servius Tullius. Ee- 
mernbering with horror the wicked act of the 
sons of the old king Ancus Marcius, who had 
killed Tarquinius, Servius resolved that the 
sons of Tarquinius should have no cause of 
complaint, by securing to them the succession. 
So he married his two daughters to the two 
young princes. 

The eldest Tullia possessed a most violent 
temper. She was wilful, obstinate, and with 
no tenderness in her disposition. In childhood 
even, she delighted in acts of cruelty to poor 
helpless animals, a sure sign of a wicked heart. 
The pretty birds which sang to give her pleas- 
ure, were torn from their gilded cages and killed 
with her own hands ! And when she grew up, 
her tyrannical nature brought fear, but no love 
from those around her. 

Her sister, the younger Tullia, on the con- 
trary, was a maiden whom all loved. She was 
as gentle as the other was violent, and would 



SEE VI us TULLIUS, SIXTH KING OF ROME. 201 

often take the suffering creatures whom her sis- 
ter had maimed, and nurse them with tender 
pity. Such were the two TuUias. 

And the same difference of character marked 
the sons of Tarquinius Priscus. 

Lucius Tarquinius, the eldest, was cruel. 
He w^as ambitious, looking with an evil, envious 
eye already upon the king. 

Aruns, the younger, was of a mild and peace- 
ful disposition — not tame, nor cowardly — but 
one who calmly judged the right from the 
wrong, and when he found the right he did it. 

Servius Tullius, with the very best intentions, 
acted as he believed with judgment, and for the 
happiness of all, when he gave his wilful daugh- 
ter, the elder Tullia, to be the wife of Aruns, 
and wedded his gentle young girl to the cruel 
prince Lucius Tarquin. 

Surely, he thought, so much loveliness will 
soothe and moderate the fiery disposition of 
Tarquinius, while the calm nature and good 
sense of Aruns will finally prevail over the un- 
controlled passions of the elder Tullia. 



202 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

It was like mating the fawn with the tiger — 
the hyena w^ith the lamb. 

The elder TuUia was perfectly enraged at 
finding herself the wife of a man like Aruns — 
a man so different in every particular from her- 
self. She looked upon his virtues with con- 
tempt. In vain she tried to rouse him to her 
own ambitious views — he shrank from her in 
disgust. On the other hand, Tullia admired 
the bold, daring spirit of her sister's husband, 
and would often reproach the younger Tullia 
that she was not worthy to be the wife of such 
a man. Ah ! with Lucius Tarquin, she thought, 
what power might she not gain ? 

And just in the same light as she regarded 
her sister's husband, did Tarquin look upon his 
brother's wife, thinking how much better to 
have married her than the gentle Tullia. 

Two wicked spirits are sure to attract each 
other — as naturally as the magnet the loadstone. 

This wicked pair soon found out their views 
were the same, and if they expected to earn 
success they must work in concert. How could 



SERVIUS TULLIUS, SIXTH KING OF ROME. 203 

this be done ? Ah ! a little poison, and a sharp 
dagger soon answered that question ! 

Aruns and the lovely young Tullia were both 
secretly murdered by their wicked partners. 
And then, the guilty blood^^stained hands of 
Tarquinius and Tullia were joined in marriage — 
though w^ithout the willing consent of the 
king — he only yielded to their demands. 

The old age of Servius now became wretched. 
His days were sorrowful. Abroad, it is true, 
he saw peace and happiness which his own 
noble acts had wrought — but under the roof of 
his palace, bitter w^anglings, and that misery 
which springs from a bad conscience, joined to 
the stings of envy. It was impossible for the 
king to conceal from himself the designs of his 
daughter and son-in-law. Tullia, in fact, ex- 
ceeded even Tarquin in wickedness. For the 
slow process of nature this bad daughter could 
not wait, and would often taunt her husband in 
such words as these : 

" When I married you, Tarquin, I thought 
I had married a man — not a poor, w^eak Aruns! 



204 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

one who could sit down patiently and wait for 
a kingdom to drop into his hands ! No ! If 
you are the son of a king, why not take what 
is yours to wear — the croion ? If you are de- 
scended from a slave — with a slave's nature, 
then why not return to the race from which 
you sprang?" 

This bitter speech was in reference to his 
grandfather having been exiled from Corinth, 
as we have already seen. But he was not a 
slave, although it pleased some to cast that 
stigma upon Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, his son, 
and fifth king of Rome. 

Tarquin was bad enough — but Tullia was far 
worse. We know, that even a little drop of 
water drip-dripping constantly upon a stone, 
will in time wear it away ; and so did this inces- 
sant goading of Tullia in the ears of her hus- 
band, finally wear away all scruples. 

When a bad man has made up his mind to 
do a bad deed, he does not deliberate long. 

Tarquin commenced the work craftily ; 
going around among the higher order of Ro- 



SERVIUS TULLIUS, SIXTH KING OF ROME. 205 

mans, and sljly dropping a word here — a look 
there. There are winds which only bring pes- 
tilence and death ; and there are birds which, as 
they fly, drop the seeds of baneful weeds ! Tar- 
quin did both — wafting suspicion, and sowing 
the seeds of distrust in the minds of the pa- 
tricians against Servius. When he saw the 
poison beginning to work, then, in concert with 
Tullia, he formed his plans. 

These matured, with a body of armed men, 
Tarquin one day suddenly rushed into the 
Forum, and entering the Senate House, ascended 
the throne. Looking around with an air of 
defiance upon the astonished multitude, he bade 
the Conscript Fathers to be summoned at once 
to meet — King Tarquin ! And it was done. 

Boldness, even in an unjust cause, is power- 
ful. The Senate assembled in haste at this 
strange summons — strange to many — though 
without doubt there were some present who 
knew full well what was coming, and were pre- 
pared to assist Tarquin. 

Then Tarquin addressed the Senate, and 
18 



206 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

poured forth violent accusations against the 
king. He termed him an usurper of the throne 
of Rome — an unjust ruler — he had insulted the 
noble patricians, and had made them the slaves 
of the plebeians — lie, who was but the son of a 
slave himself in Ids father's palace ! 

In the mean time, Servius Tullius, in igno- 
rance of what was going on, was already pre- 
paring to go to the Forum, when he received 
information that his son-in-law Tarquin had 
mounted the throne, and was haranguing the 
people. 

Attended by his lictors, the king immediately 
hastened to the Forum. As he entered the 
portico of the Senate House, he stopped, and in 
a dignified manner called out : 

"How is this, Tarquin ! By what authority 
hast thou dared to summon the Senate while / 
the king still live ? Or by what right dost thou 
occupy my throne ? Tarquin, I command thee 
to come down." 

To this, Tarquin with great insolence re- 
plied : 



SERVIUS TULLIUS, SIXTH KING OF HOME. 207 

" Servius, the throne is mine. I, the son of 
a king, now occupy the throne as a. king! not 
as a slave like thyself, Servius, who for so long 
a time hast ruled thy masters /" 

At this rude speech, a rush was made by both 
parties — those who sided with Tarquin, and the 
faithful adherents of the king. The people 
thronged in from the Forum — great confu- 
sion, great dismay prevailed, when Tarquin, 
becoming alarmed lest the affection which the 
plebeians bore for Servius might enable them to 
overcome his own faction, suddenly seized the 
old king by the waist, and in all the superiority 
of youth and strength, dragged the poor old 
man to the steps of the Senate House, and with 
ferocious violence hurled him to the bottom i 
He then daringly re-entered the Senate and 
called the Senators about him. 

The unfortunate king, stunned and nearly 
lifeless, was being borne home to his palace on 
the Esquiline Hill, when, pursued by a party 
which Tarquin had sent for the purpose, he was 
overtaken at the top of a street called the Yi- 



208 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

cus Cyprius, and there brutally slain, and his 
poor bleeding body forsaken ; for the attendants 
fled in peril of their lives. 

When Tullia was informed of what had been 
done, she mounted her chariot and drove joy- 
fully to the Forum, where, summoning her hus- 
band forth, she was the first to congratulate 
him and call him king 1 

But even Tarquin himself revolted at this 
unfeminine, unfilial act — a daughter rejoicing, 
and congratulating the murderer of her father ! 
He sternly bade her go home, and not expose 
herself thus to the eyes of the people. 

A dreadful deed, such as exceeds belief, was 
then done by this — what shall we call her — 
woman? No, let us not thus disgrace the na- 
ture of woman — say, rather, this fiend ! And 
to this day the street in which that wicked 
act occurred, is called the Wicked Street — 
[_Via Sceleratus]. 

As the chariot of Tullia entered this street 
on her return to the palace, the driver suddenly 
reined in his horses in terror, for lo ! directly 



SERVIUS TULLIUS, SIXTH KING OF ROME. 209 

in their path lay the dead body of her failier — 
the poor old king Servius ! Unable to speak, 
the man pointed out to his mistress this terrible 
sight. 

And what did Tullia do ? 

" Drive on!" she cried — "drive on ! Do you 
stop for carrion f 

And so over the body of her murdered father 
drove the wicked Tullia — her chariot- wheels, 
and even the border of her splendid robe, sprink- 
led with a parent's blood ! 

And thus perished the good king Servius 
TuUius after a peaceful reign of forty-four years, 
and with him perished all law, all order, all 
justice. Long was his memory cherished by 
the Roman people, and history has brought him 
down to the nineteenth century as '' The Good 
King Servius." 

And in this wicked manner, and without 
either asking " for the votes of the people, or 
the approbation of the Senate," did Tarquin 
Superbus make himself the seventh and last 
King of the Seven Hills of Rome. 
18* 



210 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

This was before Christ five hundred and 
thirty-six years. 

Here ends the story of Servius Tullius, the 
sixth king of Rome. 




TAHaUINIUS SUPERBUS, 

THE SEVENTH KING OF ROME, 



CHAPTER I. 



"V^TTE now have Tarquinius on the throne of 
Rome. 

Tarquinius Superbus. 

Tarquinius the Proud. , 

Tarquinius the Tyrant. 

For by all these titles is he made known in 
history, and we must give him his due. That 
of " Superbus," it is said, he obtained for hav- 
ing in derision refused burial to the remains 
of his father-in-law, the late old king, saying 
scoffingly, as he wrapped his royal robes around 
him : 

" Why should Servius be buried ? King 
Romulus was not !" 

If we look for a peaceful reign after such 

(213) 



214 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

wickedness as marked its commeii cement, we 
may rest assured we shall be mistaken. A 
kingdom gained by murder will still drop 
blood ! 

Tarquin began his career by deeds of injus- 
tice and cruelty. The Romans soon found to 
their sorrow that they had no Servius in their 
new ruler, for even against those whom he had 
allured on by cunning speeches, and by still 
more artful hints, to murmur at the good old 
king, did he now turn his wicked measures. 

Perhaps they were rightly served as a pun- 
ishment for their crime. 

Secretly a coward, for an assassin is always 
a coward, Tarquin kept himself constantly 
surrounded by armed men, lest the example he 
himself had given to the Romans might be 
followed out in his own case. Thus protected, 
he went to work, cutting right and left into 
the Roman field, mowing down where he 
pleased and as he pleased. Some he robbed of 
their goods — some he sent afar off into exile, 
and others he scrupled not to slay. As for the 



TARQ UINim SUPERB US, THE SE VENTH KING. 2 1 5 

laws of the Senate, what were they to him ? 
and in fact to do away with that body was now 
his aim; therefore, if any of the Conscript 
Fathers died from natural causes or by reason 
of his own secret agency, their places were not 
filled by other Senators, so that as the bills of 
mortality rapidly increased, Tarquin had a fair 
chance of seeing his wishes realized. 

Tarquin Superbus was therefore the first 
king who treated that reverend body with con- 
tempt, nor consulted the fathers upon matters 
of state. In short he w^as king and Senate — 
the people and the law in his own person, and 
fearlessly went on his way by making others 
fear. If he chose to go to war, he went. If 
he chose to make a treaty, he made it. If he 
chose to break a truce, he did it. No ^'by 
your leave, or with your leave" dropped from 
the mouth of Tarquin the tyrant. 

So you now see, my young friends, what sort 
of a king this man made. But we must go on. 

To secure powder abroad in order that his 
power at home might be the stronger, he made 



216 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

oiFers of friendship to many of the neighboring 
cities and provinces. With the Latins he was 
especially anxious to gain favor, so much so 
that he gave his daughter in marriage to one 
of the chief men of Tusculum, whose name 
was Metellus. 

Although a wise people, the Latins swallowed 
the bait thrown by this king-fisher, it was so 
artfully concealed in honeyed speeches ; and 
in a short time they were willing to be led 
almost entirely by his counsels. 

One day he sent a summons for the chief 
men of the Latins to meet him at an early 
hour within the Grove of Ferantina, through 
which ran a brook held sacred by the Latins, 
and where their most important deliberations 
took place. He urged upon them to be prompt, 
as there were matters of mutual interest to 
discuss. 

The people assembled as required ; but King 
Tarquin came not. Hour after hour they 
waited his presence — still he came not, neither 
was any message received. 



TAEQUINIUS SUPERBUS, THE SEVENTH KING. 217 

Of those persons assembled in the Grove was 
one Turnus of Ariccia. He distrusted the 
friendship of a man like Tarquin ; and, indig- 
nant that so large a body of the chief Latins 
should have met at his bidding, and he the 
king absent himself without even the decency 
of an apology, was so moved to anger, that 
rising from his seat and looking around him, 
he exclaimed : 

"How much longer shall we wait the 
pleasure of this Tarquin the Proud? Shall 
we remain the night in this grove and drink 
of the sacred spring for our supper? Let us 
break up this assembly at once. What, 
Latins — do ye not see that it is to insult us we 
are called here ? Is it not to show how little 
he values us, that he thus dares to make us 
his sport? Away, then— and I counsel you, 
brothers, not to slip your necks again thus 
easily under the yoke of Tarquin the Proud !" 

The sun was then near its setting, and 
already threw its lengthening shadows across 

19 



218 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

the plain, when, just as Turnus ended his 
speech, the king, as if in great haste, came in. 

His quick eye detected mischief; but, con- 
cealing it under a smile of affability, he trusted 
they would pardon him for keeping them so 
long waiting. He assured them that nothing 
but a case of urgent necessity had prevented 
his coming ; that having been chosen as arbiter 
between a father and his son, the facts were 
such as to render it impossible to settle the 
question sooner. 

At this remark, Turnus curtly replied ; that 
a question between father and son had been 
more easily decided ! thus conveying a hint at 
the murder of Servius Tullius. 

He had better not have said it. The king 
felt the stab keenly; but, without noticing the 
remark, he bowed around and said : 

^'To-morrow, my friends and allies, to- 
morrow we will discuss those important 
matters which, but for this delay, would have 
been placed before you." 

When alone, Tarquin the Tyrant uncovered 



TARQUINIUS SUPERBUS, THE SEVENTH KING. 219 

the deep wound caused by the words of Tur- 
nus, and swore revenge. Nor did he wait for 
the evening stars to spangle the blue heavens 
ere he set about its accomplishment. He well 
knew whom to trust. 

Among the number were two or three Aric- 
cians, fellow-townsmen of the man he would 
destroy. By their means a servant in the 
household of Turnus was bribed to conceal 
under his master's roof a quantity of swords 
and other weapons. 

This done — before the dawn of day the king 
sent secretly and in haste for the principal 
men of the Latins. 

''My friends," said he, with well-feigned 
agitation, ''to the mercy of the gods alone we 
owe our preservation. I have summoned you 
thus early that you may be informed of the 
conspiracy against our lives — a conspiracy of 
which I regret to say Turnus of Ariccia is the 
chief. Yesterday, my friends, the dastardly 
deed was to have been done. The gods 
delayed me. No doubt the attempt will be 



220 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

renewed this morning. Turnus will be here 
with his fellow-conspirators. I am told he has 
arms concealed in his house. Why wait for 
him — why not proceed at once to his dwelling, 
and ascertain if this be true ?" 

Appearances were certainly not in favor of 
the Ariccian, from the fact, especially, of the 
speech he had made against the king. Still 
the Latin chiefs could not believe him guilty 
of the accusation brought against him. They 
therefore willingly followed Tarquin to the 
residence of Turnus, believing the weapons 
would not be found, and the conspiracy prove 
a mere fabrication. 

Turnus was quietly sleeping when the party 
arrived. Guards were marched into his cham- 
ber and stationed around it. His faithful ser- 
vants attempt to defend their master, who, thus 
rudely aroused, hastens to defend himself. It 
was useless. The servants were seized, and in 
the mean time the swords which had been 
hidden by the treacherous domestic were 
brought in. Here was joroof enough. Turnus 



TARQUINIUS SUPERBUS, THE SEVENTH KING. 221 

of Ariccia was guilty ! Doubt turned to hatred 
in the minds of those who had believed him 
^innocent. They would listen to no defence; 
but loaded with heavy chains, the unfortunate 
man was carried to the Grove of Ferantina, 
and thrown into the reservoir of the Sacred 
Spring. A close network of split reeds and 
twigs, called a hurdle, was placed over him and 
then ' piled up with stones. This done, the 
innocent man was left to his miserable fate. 

Tarquin the Tyrant then drew a long 
breath, and thanked Jupiter. 

Where were the thunderbolts, think you? 
Perhaps they may be hurled yet^we will see 
as we go on. 





CHAPTER II. 

TT was ably managed by Tarquin to unite 
more strongly the Latins with the Komans 
by forming new regiments of young men, mix- 
ing in the Latins freely, thus cementing them 
as it w^ere to the Roman walls. 

All historians agree that Tarquin was a good 
general ; wherever he led his armies it was to 
conquest. Marching against the Yolscians, he 
took from them one of their most powerful 
cities, namely, Suessa Pometia. The spoils 
gained by that victory were of great value, 
sufficient in gold and silver to build a magnifi- 
cent temple to Jupiter Optimus Maximus upon 
the Capitoline Hill, which was to excel all 
others built by former kings. The site of this 

(222) 



TARQ UINIUS SUPERB US, THE SE VENTH KING. 223 

temple bad been already marked out by bis 
fatber Tarquinius Priscus, as we bave seen. 
It is said tbat in digging tbe foundations, tbe 
bead of a man was found, at wbicb, considered 
as an omen, tbe sootbsayers predicted tbat 
Kome would become tbe "Head of Italy !^ 

We are on tbe war-patb again. I told you 
we w^ere to follow no peaceful track. 

Difficulties, at tbis period, arose between 
Kome and Gabii, a powerful city wbicb bad 
been settled by a colony from Alba Longa; 
and Alba Longa, you remember, was tbe birtb- 
place of Romulus and Remus. Gabii was 
twelve miles from Rome. 

Tbey were a brave people certainly — for, 
strange as it may seem to us wbo bave always 
bebeld Rome victorious, Tarquin, witb bis army, 
was repulsed from tbeir walls. Tbis we are 
told by tbe bistorian Livy. 

Tarquin now proved bimself a master in 
strategy. 

And in tbis way. He went back witb bis 
army to Rome, and commenced building tbe 



224 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

temple to Jupiter Optimus Maxim us, as if the 
repulse he had met with, and the intended 
conquest of Gabii, were alike of little moment. 

Tarquin had three sons. Their names were 
Titus, Aruns, and Sextus. 

Sextus, the youngest, he took into his confi- 
dence, and it was arranged between them that 
he, Sextus, should flee to Gabii as from the per- 
secution of an inhuman parent, and implore 
the protection of the Gabians. They being the 
most bitter enemies to his father would doubtr 
less receive him— and if so, Sextus had his in- 
structions what to do, which we shall find out 
as we go along. 

Sextus proceeded to Gabii, and as expected, 
found shelter freely offered with the enemies 
of the king. 

We will not follow the progress he made in 
their good graces, day by day gaining their fa- 
vor, and finally their confidence. It will answer 
our purpose to know that proving himself a 
brave soldier in several skirmishes, not only 
with the Komans, but other provinces, the Ga- 



TARQUINIUS SUPERB US, THE SEVENTH KING. 225 

bians gave him a command in their army. Nor 
did they stop there, for after some months, 
wherein his military tactics were well tested, 
and under the impulse of a fresh victory gained 
over a considerable Roman force, probably in 
concert with Tarquin ; in an evil moment the 
Gabians appointed Sextus Tarquin general-in- 
ch ief! 

So much of the plot gained. But there was 
more to be done. And he did it so well that 
his power in Gabii became nearly absolute. 
When quite secure of his position, he sent a 
trusty messenger to Rome to ask of his father 
what should be done, since the gods had given 
Gabii into his hands. 

Tarquin, fearing to trust any person with his 
answer, merely bade the messenger of Sextus 
follow him into the gardens of the palace, 
where, as he said, he would consider the matter. 

Now these gardens were of surpassing beau- 
ty ; for the taste and skill which other nations 
could give, were here employed to create and 
embellish these most lovely pleasure-grounds. 



226 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS, 

Bare shrubberies — fanciful flower-beds bloom- 
ing with every variety brought from afar, or 
gathered under the blue skies of Italy. There 
were little rills spinning silver threads— spark- 
ling fountains — shady grottos, and bowers cov- 
ered with gold and silver nettings, which, like 
one immense, glittering bird-cage, held hun- 
dreds of sweet warblers, flying freely around 
from branch to branch as if in their native 
w^oods. 

Into these beautiful gardens did the messen- 
ger of Sextus follow King Tarquin. As if in 
deep thought, the king began slowly walking 
up and down the long alleys, which were bor- 
dered with the most exquisite flowers. Indeed, 
so absorbed was he in meditation, that as he slow- 
ly paced back and forth, with his stafl* he care- 
lessly'- struck off the heads of these beautiful 
flowers to the ground! 

Tired, at length, of being so long kept w^ait- 
ing — for never a look or a word had the king 
bestowed upon him, the messenger dared to ask 
what answer he should return to his master. 




tarquin's answer to sextus. 



TARQUINIUS SUPERBUS, THE SEVENTH KING. 227 

Tarquin started as if but just aAvare of the 
man's presence, and still in an absent manner 
replied : 

" There is no answer." 

In haste the messenger sped back to Sextus. 

" Well, what said the king ?" quoth he. 

" He gave me no answer," was the reply. 

" How ! no answer? Surely, fellow, you are 
mistaken — what, no reply to my message ?" 
said Sextus. " What said the king ? What 
did he ?" 

'' The king bade me follow him to the gar- 
dens, most noble Sextus, but after that spoke 
never a word. Indeed, so lost in thought was 
his majesty, that as he walked up and down 
the alleys, he struck off the heads of the flowers 
right and left with his staff — in faith it was a 
pity to see it !" 

" Ah-h-h ! I have it !" said Sextus to himself. 
^^Ihave his answer — it is this. 'Strike off the 
heads of the Gabiaris, even as I do the heads of 
these /lowers r good, I will do it!" 

You see, Sextus understood the language of 



228 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

flowers. For that was exactly what his father 
did mean. 

As we have already seen, this young Tarquin 
had things pretty much his own way in Gabii. 
In fact, the people were so blinded, that the 
sway of Tarquin Superbus in Rome was not 
much greater than that of Sextus Tarquin in 
Gabii. 

Under some artful pretext, or by more wicked 
deeds through secret agents, Sextus contrived, 
little by little, to rid himself of the most influ- 
ential citizens, and then — when all things were 
ready to his hand — -like a base traitor, he dehv- 
ered the city into the power of the Roman 
king. 

Gabii fell without a struggle. One redeem- 
ing point in this base aflair was, that Tarquin 
treated the Gabians with humanity, and soon 
concluded a treaty of peace with them — which 
treaty, inscribed upon a bull's hide, wrapped 
around a shield of wood, was, for many centuries 
after, to be seen in one of the Roman templeg. 

In the mean time, the building of the great 



TARQUINIUS SUPERBUS, THE SEVENTH KING. 229 

temple was going steadily on. Tarquin, re- 
solving that this should be of unexampled splen- 
dor, made room for its grand dimensions, each 
of its four sides being two hundred feet long, 
by tearing down other temples to the gods, 
built upon the Capitoline. And when com- 
pleted, it was consecrated with great pomp to 
the three great divinities of pagan worship — 
Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva. 

And in those days, Tarquin the Tyrant laid 
such heavy burthens upon the people, compel- 
ling the poor to such hard and servile labor, 
that many cried in their sorrow : 

"Oh! it is better to die, than to live under 
such a king !" 




20 




CHAPTER III. 



I^NE day there came an old woman before 
Tarquin, and in her hand she held nine 
books. 

" Will you buy my books^ king ?" said she, 
naming a price. 

"No," said the king. '^Go away." So she 
went away and burned three. 

By and by the old woman came again, and in 
her hand she held six books : 

" Will you buy my books, king ?" said she, 
naming the same price as for the nine. 

" No," said the king. '' Go away." And 
she went away and burned three more. 

By and by the old woman came the third 
time, and in her hand she held three books. 

(230) 



TABQUINIUS SUPERB US, THE SEVENTH KING. 231 

" Will you buy my books, king ?" said she, 
again naming the same price as for the nine. 

Then the king was greatly amazed. He 
called for the soothsayers and demanded of them 
what this meant. But when the soothsayers 
told him that those books contained the sacred 
laws, and that the old woman had been sent by 
the gods to deliver them, Tarquin was greatly 
alarmed. So he bought the three books of the 
old woman, who went away and was never seen 
again. And some said it w^as Minerva, the god- 
dess of Wisdom, who, descending from Mount 
Olympus, assumed the form of an old woman, 
to bring those sacred books to the king. 

Tarquin caused the three books to be enclosed 
in a large stone box made on purpose to re- 
ceive them- — and this box was then placed under 
ground in the great Capitoline Temple, and two 
men were appointed to watch over it. They 
were called the Sacred Guards of the Sacred 
Books. These books were consulted ever after 
when the state was in danger. 



232 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

Something now happened to frighten the 
king. 

One day as he was offering sacrifice in his 
new temple, a snake suddenly glided out from 
under one of the columns, and crawling along 
to the altar, ate up the sacrifice! 

From the days of Romulus down to Tarquin 
Superbus, as we have seen, all matters of im- 
portance were left to the divination of the gods 
through oracles and soothsayers. Now Tar- 
quin was greatly disturbed at this omen — this 
snake in the temple of Jupiter, devouring the 
sacrificial offering ! 

What could it portend ! His guilty soul 
trembled with fear. So he resolved to send to 
Delphi to consult a celebrated Greek oracle — 
the Delphian Apollo — to see what this terrible 
apparition of the serpent might mean. 

To show more respect to this great oracle, he 
gave the errand to his two eldest sons, Titus 
and Aruns, and with them went their cousin, 
Lucius Junius — called Brutus, or the Dullard, 
This title was given him, as he appeared so very 



TARQUINIUS SUPERBUS, THE SEVENTH KING. 233 

stupid, living, too, on wild figs and honey, so 
unlike other people. But I assure you Brutus 
was no '^dullard" — not he! He was wise 
enough to know that his high birth and great 
riches would render him obnoxious to his uncle 
the king, if united, too, with talents. So, in 
order to preserve his life, he feigned to be of 
little wit, and allowed Tarquin to make use of 
his estates as he pleased. He thought his own 
day might come. 

When the three young men set off for Del- 
phi, Brutus secretly filled a hollow horn staff 
with gold as an offering to Apollo — thus im- 
plying, that though he might appear dull like 
the outside of the cane, he had golden wit in 
his brain. So when they arrived at Delphi, 
Brutus placed the horn staff upon the altar of 
the Delphian Oracle. 

After obtaining their answer to the demands 
of the king, the young princes asked a ques- 
tion for themselves — namely : 

" Which of us shall be king of Rome ?" 

And the oracle replied : 

20* 



234 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

" The one that shall first hiss his mother f^ 
Titus and Aruns agreed to draw lots as to 
which of them should be the one — and they 
also agreed to keep the matter a secret from 
their brother Sextus^ who, possessed of more 
cunning, might perchance outwit them both. 

But Brutus understood the meaning of the 
oracle in a different sense ; so, as they left the 
temple, he stumbled, as if by accident, and fell 
upon his face to the ground, which he then 
kissed, saying to himself: 

" Surely, the earth is the mother of us all /" 
This act proves Brutus no dullard. 
When the two Tarquins.and Brutus returned 
from Delphi, they found the king at war with 
Ardea, then a powerful country some twenty 
miles from Rome. The motives which led to 
this war on the part of Tarquin, were those of 
avarice. The Rutuli were a rich and powerful 
people, at the period of which we write. Ardea 
was their chief city. Their territories were 
not large, but favorably situated upon the 
Mediterranean coast. 



TAB Q mm us SUPERB us, THE SEVENTH KING. 235 

These facts drew upon them the attention of 
the Roman king, whose treasury had become 
greatly reduced, and his subjects beginning to 
murmur openly at the labors imposed upon 
them, and with so little pay. 

To conquer Ardea, therefore, would re-fill his 
exhausted treasury, and again buy " the golden 
opinions" of the lower orders. A pretext for 
war was found, and Tarquin with his armies 
assaulted Ardea. But the war was protracted. 
Ardea was not so easily taken. 

Finding he could not succeed by force of 
arms, Tarquin surrounded the city with his 
troops — cutting off their supplies by sea and 
land, hoping that the horrors of famine would 
induce them to capitulate. 



■s^^^st 




CHAPTER IV. 

E now come to a most important point in 
the history of the Roman kings, and of 
Rome. 

Camp life, without the impetus of fighting, 
is an idle life — when the blood is not stirred by 
the approach of battle, or moved to pity by the 
wounds which follow either victory or defeat. 

Sitting down under the walls of a besieged 
city, therefore, did not offer much amusement 
to the Romans; so they diverted themselves 
with feasting and frolicking, visiting from tent 
to tent ; in short, giving themselves up to any 
folly which would serve to pass off the weary 
hours. 

One night it chanced that the two sons of 
Tarquin, Titus 'and Aruns, went to sup in the 

(236) 



TARQUTNIUS SUPERBUS, THE SEVENTH KING. 237 

tent of their brother Sextus, together with Col- 
latinus, their cousin. He was a son of that Col- 
latinus who, when Tarquinius Prisons con- 
quered CoUatia, assumed the name of Collati- 
nus. Do you remember I said at the time, we 
must not forget that fact ? 

While drinking their wine, eating figs and 
grapes, or idly cracking their nuts, the conver- 
sation happened to turn upon the merits of 
their wives — for they were all four married. 
And finally they began to joke and dispute as to 
which one of the four was most worthy the 
name of a good wife. 

Said Collatinus, starting up : 

"Why, what is easier than to judge for our- 
selves? Come— let us mount our horses, and 
go and see what our wives are doing — then we 
shall learn which one of them is the most ex- 
cellent wife." 

So laughing and jesting, they ordered their 
horses, and galloped off to Eome. There they 
found the wives of the three Tarquins, Titus, 
Aruns, and Sextus, little mindful of their lords' 



238 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

absence, feasting and dancing, enjoying them- 
selves in every luxury ! 

Then the four husbands rode on swiftly to 
Collatia, and, although they arrived there quite' 
late at night, they found Lucre tia, the wife of 
Collatinus, sitting with her maidens around her 
busily engaged in household pursuits — some 
were spinning, and some sat at the loom. 

The three Tarquins looked at one another, 
and then they said : 

" Collatinus, you have the most worthy wife !" 

And Lucre tia, delighted to see her husband 
thus unexpectedly, w^elcomed him most affec- 
tionately, and greeted his cousins with much 
cordiality, entertaining them to the best of her 
power. After a brief visit they all rode back 
to the camp. 

The Tarquins had pronounced Lucretia the 
most worthy wife — and so she was. Few could 
compare with her in virtue and loveliness — 
but alas ! this very loveliness, both of mind and 
person, wrought her such woe through the 
treachery of Sextus Tarquin, the wdcked son 



TAR Q UINIUS S UPERB US, THE SE VENTH KING. 239 

of a wicked father, that choosing to die rather 
than Hve ; in the presence of her father Lucre- 
tius, of her husband, and of Brutus the so- 
called fool, the unhappy Lucretia with her own 
hand put an end to her young life ! 

At this dreadful sight, her poor father and 
wretched husband wept aloud — but Brutus, 
drawing forth the bloody dagger with which 
Lucretia had committed the deed, he held it 
aloft and in a solemn voice said : 

" In the name of all the gods, and by the 
blood of this pure matron, I swear to avenge 
this deed upon King Tarquin and all his ac- 
cursed race ! And I solemnly swear there shall 
no longer reign a king in Rome. Tarquin the 
Tyrant shall he tlie lastT 

Collatinus and Lucretius were indeed aston- 
ished at hearing such words from a man whom 
all called '' Brutus the Fool !" but there was 
that in his speech, and in his bold, clear eye, 
wliich at once brought conviction. 

Brutus the fool was no more. Brutus the 
man had risen ! 



240 THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

They swore with Brutus upon the dagger 
wet with her blood, that Lucretia should be 
avenged. 

Then tenderly lifting the body, they bore it 
down to the Forum of Collatia, calling out as 
they walked: 

"Behold, men of Collatia, the deed of the 
Tarquins !" 

At this piteous sight, all the people were 
greatly moved, and joined themselves to the 
side of Brutus. They closed the gates of the 
city and placed a guard around them, so that 
no man might depart to bear the tidings of these 
things to the king at Ardea. 

Arming themselves, they then followed Bru- 
tus to Rome. 

With a tender appeal, inspired by the just- 
ness of his theme, Brutus related to the assem- 
bled multitude the deed of Sextus Tarquin, the 
son of their king. Then taking advantage of 
the indignation he had aroused, he poured forth 
a strain of eloquence which stirred the hearts 
of the crowd like the war trumpet. He set 



TARQUINIUS SUPEEBUS, THE SEVENTH KING. 241 






forth in glowing terms the tyranny of the kin 
his oppression of the poor; of the grievous bur- 
thens laid upon them. He recalled feelingly 
the murder of the old king, Servius Tullius, 
whom all men loved, and dwelt upon the wicked 
acts of Tullia, the mother of that race of Tar- 
quins who might one day rule over them ! He 
bade them be men if they were true Romans — 
and now and for ever to spurn the yoke of 
kings ! 

In short, so ably and so powerfully did Bru- 
tus plead, that the people of Rome, one and 
all, swore against the race of Tarquin, and 
bound themselves by solemn oaths to banish 
from Rome, King Tarquin Superbus and his 
whole family. 

The city was now in a great tumult, which 
by-and-by reaching the palace, Tullia the queen 
demanded the cause. Upon being told, she fled 
in all haste, and as she passed along the streets, 
every person, both men and women, cursed her 
and spat upon her, praying that the infernal 
gods might seize and torment her, and thus 

21 Q 



242 THE SEVEN KINGS GF THE SEVEN HILLS. 

avenge her wicked acts to her poor old father, 
Servius TuUius ! 

Eumors of revolt in Rome reached Ardea. 
The king heard them, and set out in all haste 
for the city. At the same time, by another 
road, Brutus sped to Ardea, where in words as 
eloquent as he had spoken in Rome, he soon 
roused the soldiers to espouse the cause of lib- 
erty. 

Placing themselves under his leadership, they 
rose against the sons of Tarquin and drove them 
from the camp. 

How do you think Tarquin Superbus felt, 
when, arriving with all speed at his own gates, 
he found them closed against him ! and then 
heard his sentence of banishment coolly read to 
him, while he stood foaming with anger upon 
the outside ! 

It is wrong to rejoice over the dov/nfall of 
an enemy — but this happened so long ago that 
I suppose we may privately clap our hands as 
Tarquin the Proud turns away, a banished man, 
from the Roman gates, no longer king of Rome! 



TARQUINIUS SUPERBUS, THE SEVENTH KING. 243 

He had reigned for twenty-five years — but 
now his reign was ended. 

Then Tarquin and his two sons Titus and 
Aruns went to a city of Etruria, called Casne, 
where they took up their abode. Sextus Tar- 
quin, led by his evil genius, fled toGabii, where 
remembering how he had once betrayed their 
city into the hands of the Romans, the people 
fell upon him and slew him. 

And now we have seen seven kings sitting 
upon the throne of Rome. Seven kings in two 
hundred and forty-five years — namely : 

Romulus, who reigned 39 years. 

Numa Pompilius, who reigned 40 years. 

Tullus Hostilius, w^ho reigned 32 years. 

Ancus Marcius, who reigned 24 years. 
' Tarquinius Priscus, who reigned 38 years. 

Servius Tullius, who reigned 45 years. 

Tarquinius Superbus, who reigned 25 years. 

From the death of Romulus to the reign of 
Numa Pompilius — an interregnum of one year. 
Also from the death of Numa to the reign of 
Tullus Hostilius. 



244 



THE SEVEN KINGS OF THE SEVEN HILLS. 



Brutus swore no other king should again rule 
in Rome. No other king ever did. 

Here ends the story of Tarquinius Superbus 
as king — the seventh and last king of Rome. 
But we shall meet this banished Tarquin again, 
my young friends, as we journey dow^n the 
years, and trace the history of Rome as a Re- 
public, under the rule of the " Heroes of the 
Seven Hills." 



THE END. 












■^^"^ 














-<;-. 






Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. 
Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 
Treatment Date: 



^^ 



-/ 



0" ^ 



o 0^ 






PreservatioffTechnolcjgifes 

A WORLD LEADER IN PAPER PRESERVATION 

111 Thomson Paxk Drive 
Cranberry Township, PA 16066 
(724)779-2111 



-v 



^^-f^j/r-nr- -1, 



--,_ ' • • ' ,4. 



s^.^^ 


















-^^ 


v^ 










"a 


^ 


xO°< 












^^. 








M 


■ft 


^^^^^ 
















.y s 



a 



O^ * 






